Debbie Allen directs the new African-American-cast production of the Tennessee Williams classic about greed and lies in a Mississippi family. Additional casting will be announced.

The "strictly limited engagement" of the Pulitzer Prize-honored drama will begin previews Feb. 12, 2008, and open March 6 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Tickets are on sale through April 13. (Rashad has been announced for an August 2008 production of Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth at Westport Country Playhouse.)

Cat tickets were previously on sale only through a special credit card offer. For tickets, visit www.telecharge.com or by call (212) 239-6200. For more information, visit www.Cat2008onBroadway.com.

Tony Award winner Rose (Caroline, or Change, Hollywood's "Dreamgirls") will play frisky Maggie the Cat; Academy Award nominee Howard ("Hustle & Flow," "Crash") will play drunken jock husband Brick, marking the film actor's Broadway debut; Tony Award winner Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun) will play Maggie's mother-in-law, Big Mama; acting legend Jones (The Great White Hope, Fences, "Star Wars") will play the ailing patriarch Big Daddy; and Esposito ("Do the Right Thing") will play Brick's brother, Gooper.

This will be the first time an African-American cast appears in the Williams play on Broadway, although there is a regional theatre precedent for the casting conceit. Cat is being presented by Front Row Productions and produced by Stephen C. Byrd, who stated, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof has been revived on Broadway four times before; this production marks the first African-American production approved by the Williams estate for the Broadway stage. This revival of Cat is not only making Broadway history, it is making American theatre and black theatre history too!"

The design team includes Ray Klausen (sets), William Grant (lights) and Jane Greenwood (costumes).

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The Broadhurst's current tenant, Les Misérables, closes up shop Jan. 6, 2008.