LL Cool J to Heat Up Tin Roof Revival?

An all-black revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is still headed for the Great White Way, despite a number of setbacks. When behind-the-scenes catfighting prompted the departure of some key players a few weeks back, the show looked like it had run out of lives. But the New York Post's Page Six now reports that first-time producer Stephen Byrd has lined up a new director, Fame's Debbie Allen, and is in talks with the likes of Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose, Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr. and Tony-winner Phylicia Rashad (Allen's real-life sis) to star. Byrd is also hoping to snag hip-hop hunk LL Cool J for the pivotal role of Brick, a character who spends much of the play solely in pajama bottoms. (I am buying my tickets now.) Although Cat has yet to book a theater or opening date, the Tony Awards have: the kudofest will be broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall (and watched by tragically few) on Sunday, June 10, on CBS. — Reporting by Raven Snook