# Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

> stage play by Tennessee Williams

**Wikidata**: [Q606930](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q606930)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_on_a_Hot_Tin_Roof)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-q606930

## Summary
*Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* is a stage play written by the American playwright Tennessee Williams, first published and performed in 1955. Classified as a drama and a literary work, it is set in the United States and has achieved significant recognition, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The work remains a prominent piece of 20th-century American theater with a substantial global presence across 37 language editions.

## Key Facts
- **Publication and Inception Date:** The play was created and published in 1955 (specifically +1955-00-00T00:00:00Z).
- **Author:** Written by Tennessee Williams, an American playwright active from 1911 to 1983.
- **Country of Origin:** United States (inception: July 4, 1776; independence recognized via Treaty of Paris in 1784).
- **Genre Classifications:** It is categorized as both a "literary work" (read for enjoyment or edification) and "drama" (formal literature intended for performance with character lines and acts).
- **Major Awards:** The work is associated with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, an American award for distinguished plays.
- **International Recognition:** It is linked to the Laurence Olivier Awards, British awards recognizing excellence in West End theatre established in 1976.
- **Digital Presence:** The entity holds a Wikipedia title of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and has a sitelink count of 37 across various language editions.

## FAQs
**Who created this play and when was it released?**
Tennessee Williams, an American playwright born in 1911 and deceased in 1983, wrote the play. It was officially published and first performed in the year 1955.

**What specific genres does this work belong to?**
The play functions as a literary work intended for reading as well as a formal drama designed for stage performance. As a drama, it features character lines, author remarks, and is structured into acts and scenes.

**Which major awards is this play associated with?**
The work is connected to the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, which honors distinguished American plays. It is also linked to the Laurence Olivier Awards, which recognize excellence in London's West End theatre since 1976.

**Where is the play's country of origin located?**
The play originates from the United States, a country primarily located in North America. The nation's inception is marked by the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, with independence formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1784.

## Why It Matters
*Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* serves as a definitive example of mid-20th-century American drama, bridging the gap between literary study and live theatrical performance. Its significance lies in its ability to function simultaneously as a text for edification and a script for complex character-driven performance, influencing the trajectory of modern theater. By securing the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the work validated Tennessee Williams' contribution to American culture and established a benchmark for dramatic excellence. Its enduring relevance is evidenced by its continued recognition through prestigious international bodies like the Laurence Olivier Awards and its widespread availability across 37 different language editions, ensuring its themes remain accessible to a global audience.

## Notable For
- **Dual Classification:** It is explicitly defined as both a literary work for reading and a drama for performance, showcasing its versatility.
- **Prestigious Accolades:** The play is directly associated with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a top-tier American honor for playwriting.
- **International Stage Presence:** Its connection to the Laurence Olivier Awards highlights its success and recognition in the British West End theatre scene.
- **Author Legacy:** It stands as a major work by Tennessee Williams, a prolific American playwright with a career spanning from 1911 to 1983.
- **Global Reach:** The entity maintains a high visibility with 37 distinct sitelinks, indicating broad translation and adaptation efforts.
- **Historical Context:** Created in 1955, it is a product of the United States during a specific era of American cultural development.

## Body

### Origin and Authorship
The entity *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* was created in 1955 by Tennessee Williams. Williams was an American playwright whose career spanned from 1911 to 1983. He held citizenship in the United States and was known for multiple occupations including playwright, screenwriter, and poet. The work was produced in the United States, a country whose inception dates back to the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The nation's independence was later formally recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1784.

### Genre and Classification
This work occupies a unique space in the arts by being classified under two distinct categories. First, it is a "literary work," defined as a written piece consumed for enjoyment or edification. Second, it is a "drama," a formal type of literature intended specifically for performance. As a drama, the text is structured with character lines and author remarks, typically divided into acts and scenes. This dual nature allows the play to be studied as a text and performed on stage.

### Awards and Recognition
The play has garnered significant critical acclaim through association with major award bodies. It is linked to the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, an American award specifically designated for distinguished plays. Additionally, the work is connected to the Laurence Olivier Awards. These are British awards established in 1976 to recognize excellence in the West End theatre of London. The connection to these awards underscores the play's high standing in both American and British theatrical traditions.

### Digital Footprint and Accessibility
In the digital age, *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* maintains a robust presence. It is indexed under the Wikipedia title "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." The entity currently has a sitelink count of 37, indicating that it has dedicated pages or entries in 37 different language versions or related projects. This high number of sitelinks reflects the work's international popularity and the ongoing effort to make it accessible to diverse linguistic audiences.

### Historical Context of the United States
The creation of this play is deeply rooted in the history of the United States. The country, located primarily in North America, provided the cultural backdrop for Williams' work. The nation's founding is marked by two key dates: the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the recognition of independence via the Treaty of Paris on May 12, 1784. These historical milestones frame the era in which the American playwright Tennessee Williams produced his most famous works.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/218)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
4. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute