Tennessee Williams’ personal favorite play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” kicks off Austin Shakespeare’s season as a resident company at the Long Center’s intimate Rollins Studio Theater November 16-December 2. The play, noted for its Southern, sexy verve, has a new staging by Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella. Gwendolyn Kelso returns as “Maggie the Cat” after wowing audiences as “Blanche” in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” one of the most popular shows the professional company has ever produced. New to Austin Shakes is Zac Thomas as “Brick,” the husband who is succumbing to alcoholism as his wife tries to save him and their marriage. As his dynamic father, “Big Daddy,” Ev Lunning returns to the stage, with new member of Austin Shakes Elise Jacobs as “Big Mama.” Featuring Robert Deike as “Gooper,” Corinna Browning as “Mae,” Patrick Schmidt as the “Reverend,” and Derek Webster as the “Doctor.

Twelve performances at The Long Center Rollins Theatre.