Hot! Hot! Hot!

Hank Aaron, Morgan Freeman, Eartha Kitt, Jeremy Piven, Tonya Pinkins, Cicely Tyson and a galaxy of stars join Terrence Howard and company for the opening of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Mar 7, 2008 • New York

On Thursday night, the latest revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof bowed at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre. The show marks the stage debut of former Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, who gives a commanding performance as Brick.

Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose is stunning in every sense of the word as the ferocious Maggie The Cat.

The extraordinary James Earl Jones -- here with wife Cecilia Hart -- offers another indelible portrayal as family patriarch Big Daddy.

Oscar winner Morgan Freeman -- who will make a long-overdue return to Broadway next month in The Country Girl -- was on hand to support Cat producer Stephen R. Byrd.

Director Debbie Allen greeted a slew of well-wishers throughout the evening, including legendary Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Handsome model-turned-actor Boris Kodjoe will take over the role of Brick next month when Howard leaves temporarily due to a prior film commitment.

The always divine Eartha Kitt was among the many opening night guests.

Here's baseball living legend Hank Aaron.

The multi-talented Maurice Hines, one of Allen's closest friends, was among the first-night crowd.

Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, who recently left Broadway after a two-year run as The Color Purple's Shug Avery, came out for the opening.

The great stage and screen actress Cicely Tyson starred with Jones in the 1976 film version of The River Niger.

Emmy Award winner Jeremy Piven looked dashing at the show.

Longtime Chicago star Brenda Braxton was a welcome guest.

Here is the always glamorous Lynn Whitfield, soon to be seen in the big-screen adaptation of the musical Mama, I Want to Sing!

Tony winner Tonya Pinkins is set to star in L.A.'s Fountain Theatre's production of And Her Hair Went With Her.

For TheaterMania's review of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, click here.