CITY CONNECTS: Cat Reviews are In, Watch Opening Night Video

THE REVIEWS ARE IN!!
THE CRITICS ARE RAVING!

Here's what the critics are saying:

"A melodrama of Southern-fried mendacity, blessed with temptingly juicy roles. DEBBIE ALLEN wisely pushes past the issue of race. ANIKA NONI ROSE grasps Maggie's hard-driving sense of purpose with riveting firmness and clarity. Her take-charge energy and unembarrassed directness make this Maggie a stimulating presence. She is FIERCELY CHARGED."
Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"THRILLING! Debbie Allen has directed a shimmering ensemble that honors America's great poet of bruised humanity. Terrence Howard is stunning as Brick, Phylicia Rashad gives a rare and heartbreaking interpretation of Big Mama, Anika Noni Rose brings an internalized lushness to Maggie, and James Earl Jones is a shattering Big Daddy."
Linda Winer, Newsday

"THE CAT'S MEOW! Director Debbie Allen has assembled a STELLAR, EXCEPTIONAL CAST. James Earl Jones' MASTERLY portrayal of bluster and subtlety will surely leave a permanent mark on a role he both inhabits and embodies. Anika Noni Rose is SEXY yet POIGNANT in a BEAUTIFUL performance. Terrence Howard is low key and HIGH-TENSION. Phylicia Rashad is broken yet DEFIANT. WELL WORTH SEEING, with SATISFYING POWER!"
Clive Barnes, New York Post

"The always dynamic James Earl Jones SIZZLES, giving such a THUNDERING and THROBBING performance that you FEEL IT IN YOUR BONES."
Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News

"SEXY, STARRY ENTERTAINMENT with a POWERHOUSE CAST! TERRENCE HOWARD DELIVERS! JAMES EARL JONES gives MAGNIFICENT life to Big Daddy. PHYLICIA RASHAD is TREMENDOUS and HEART-WRENCHING. ANIKA NONI ROSE is SLEEK and BEAUTIFUL. This production achieves the RARE distinction of an entirely credible and deeply felt father-son bond at its center. 'Cat' is an INDESTRUCTIBLE AMERICAN CLASSIC!"
David Rooney, Variety

"JAMES EARL JONES and PHYLICIA RASHAD are tearing the roof off the Broadhurst Theatre. They are TERRIFIC!"
Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News

"JAMES EARL JONES' Big Daddy is RICHLY NUANCED and delightfully, hauntingly REAL. TERRENCE HOWARD wisely takes his cues from the master; his careful but naturalistic performance make it very clear how much the anguished young man is, for all their differences, his father's son. When the actors are alone together on stage, the sense of intimacy is almost painfully sharp. DEBBIE ALLEN deserves credit for giving 'Cat' another life!"
Elysa Gardner, USA Today