ESPOSITO TO JOIN CAST OF "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF"

Giancarlo Esposito will play 'Gooper' in the new production of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof directed by multiple Emmy winner and two-time Tony nominee Debbie Allen.

Best known to theatergoer's for his award winning work on stage, Giancarlo has won two Obie award's for "Zooman and The Sign" at the Negro Ensemble Company, and "Distant Fires" at The Atlantic Theatre Company, where he performs and, teaches as a company member. Giancarlo has a long list of Broadway credits, including, "Sacrilege," "Merrily We Roll Along," "Seesaw" and "Lost in the Stars" to name a few. Giancarlo's work in film has been dynamic and he has often been referred to as a chameleon. He has distinguished himself in such films as; "The Usual Suspects", Wayne Wang's "Smoke" and Mr. Wang's "The Last Holiday," opposite Queen Latifah. He has also starred opposite Paul Newman in "Twlight" and Clive Owen in "Derailed." He received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his performance in "Fresh," and his work in several Spike Lee movies is legendary. They include; "Do The Right Thing," "Mo Betta Blues" and "Malcolm X." Among Esposito's other numerous film credits are "Sherrybaby," "Ali," "Nothing To Lose," "Bob Roberts," "King of New York," and "Cotton Club." Many may remember Him from his work in television; most notably "Homicide Life on The Streets," "Law and Order," and "Kidnapped." Giancarlo recently completed his feature film debut as a director/writer, with "Gospel Hill."

"Hypocrisy, greed and secret passions threaten to tear apart a wealthy but dysfunctional Mississippi family in Tennessee Williams' stunning American masterpiece. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof searingly portrays the larger-than-life characters of Maggie "the Cat," her alcoholic husband, Brick, and the dominating family patriarch, Big Daddy," explain press notes.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams, directed by Debbie Allen begins performances Tuesday, February 12; Opening night is Thursday, March 6, 2008.