BROOKFIELD - The theater classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams is serving as the opener for the 60th anniversary season at The Brookfield Theater for the Arts. It is an excellent production of a play that has also stood the test of time.

A dysfunctional, childless couple - Maggie the cat and her husband Brick (played by Anna Fagan and James Wilding) - are holed up in their bedroom in the big house owned by Brick's father, Big Daddy (Will Jeffries).

Big Daddy is a wealthy southern businessman whose mansion sits on thousands of acres of valuable land. His entire family has convened for his birthday which may, or may not, be his last. There is a large inheritance at stake and Maggie wants it, at any cost. But she is not the only one vying for the windfall.

Also back home for the celebration are son and daughter-in-law Gooper and Mae (Christopher Cooney and Anya Caravella), a couple who unlike Brick and Maggie have a stable home life and a knack for procreating.

Big Mama (Monica O'Brien) rides the emotional highs and lows of the family gathering and the health of her beloved Big Daddy.

Wandering through the scenes are the Reverend Tooker (Jeffrey Rossman) and Doctor Baugh (Francis A. Daley). Silently waiting on Maggie are two domestics played by Kate Valiska and Morgana Kate Watson.

The entire play takes place in the guest bedroom shared by Maggie and Brick. Brick drinks to wild excess while fumbling around on a crutch to support his newly broken foot. Deep in mourning over the loss of his friend he has little to no interest in Maggie, and possibly never has.

Maggie, like the cat on a hot tin roof, is uncomfortable and desperate as she plays her every card to win over her detached husband.

The entire cast is very good, as they act out their somehow stunted and challenged characters.

Standouts include Will Jeffries, who deftly portrays Big Daddy's concern and intolerance. He is at once frightened and bossy.

Anya Caravella is always very good, and is as well in this subdued role.

Anna Fagan is a tour de force as she spills her torrent of verbiage throughout the entire first act. She plays her Maggie with a full sense of knowing what she wants and how she is going to get it.

We are fortunate to have such a fine production of an iconic play available in this neck of the woods. With two weekends left, get your tickets to Big Daddy's birthday party now.

Performances continue weekends through March 18, with curtain Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and one matinee on Sunday, March 12, at 2 pm.

Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students, and seating is general admission.

The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, at 184 Whisconier Road (Route 25, behind Brookfield Library) in Brookfield Center, can be reached at 203-775-0023 or brookfieldtheatre.org for tickets, directions, and additional information.

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