This ‘Cobra Kai’ Star Fights Her Fears And Stretches Her Acting Chops Making Her New York City Stage Debut

Tennessee Williams’ 1955 play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof has often been hailed as one of the great plays of the twentieth century. The Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, which takes place in the sweltering Mississippi Delta, centers around the fractured family of a mega-rich cotton mogul who everyone calls “Big Daddy.”

On the surface life on this multimillion dollar ornate sprawling estate, where the entire family lives, might seem idyllic. But it’s anything but that.

Maggie, who has married into the family, is miserable. Her husband, Brick, who is Big Daddy’s son, is most invested in getting his next drink than anything else. He also looks at Maggie with great contempt. Meanwhile, Maggie’s brother-in-law and wife are angling to get control of the family’s multi-million dollar fortune.

Even Tennessee Williams, called the theme of the play “the affliction of loneliness.” Said Williams, “It follows me like a shadow.”

So when Courtney Henggeler, who plays Maggie in the most recent Ruth Stage production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, was asked if she had any advice for her character, she had two words: “Girl. Run.”

Making her debut on a New York City stage it’s an epic part for Henggeler. “The role of Maggie is iconic. Too iconic. And having very minimal theater experience I felt she was out of my league,” says Henggeler who plays Amanda Larusso opposite Ralph Macchio in the Netflix hit Cobra Kai, the Karate Kid series reboot.

“But the more I read the play the more I realized I get her. I really get her. And I love her. I knew I would be a goddamn idiot if I turned this opportunity down.”

Now playing at Theatre at St. Clement’s and directed by Joe Rosario, the cast also includes Matt de Rogatis as Brick, Frederick Weller as Big Daddy and Alison Fraser as Big Mama.

“I find such freedom in playing Maggie. She’s not like the rest of the Pollitt family,” says Henggeler who will also be starring opposite Joel Edgerton in The Boys in the Boat, directed by George Clooney. “She’s scrappy. She came from nothing and fought her way into the wealthiest family in the Delta. Even though she knows the rules and how to navigate “society,” she is still that poor little girl on the inside.”

Jeryl Brunner: What went through your mind when you learned about this production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the possibility that you would be in it?

Courtney Henggeler: Sometime last year I decided to work with an acting coach, to stretch me a little. He worked exclusively on plays so I found myself diving deep into shows I never thought I would ever get to touch. He made the recommendation to do theater if I could. That terrified me.

But I’m a firm believer in walking through your fears, however unpleasant and horrifying that may be. I reached out to my agent, half hoping he would tell me they don’t “do theater.” But he enthusiastically replied with “We’ll get right on it!” A month or so later, they sent me a meeting for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Brunner: Where were you when you learned you were cast as Maggie?

Henggeler: I had just taken my kids to the Polar Express in Whippany New Jersey. And on a very long, traffic-fueled ride home my agent called to tell me they offered me the role. My husband was so ecstatic and hyped up my kids for what a great opportunity this was. I however settled into a deep panic about how the hell I was going to pull this off.

Brunner: What qualities does Maggie have that you adore? And why do you think she stays with Brick when their relationship is so damaged?

Henggeler: I love that she uses her perceived weakness to further elevate herself. Her insecurities could leave her debilitated but they light a fire under her. I think Maggie has been underestimated her whole life. And she thrives on that. I also think Maggie is the smartest person in that damn family. Because she had to be. Because she can’t just sit back and enjoy the spoils of being a Pollitt.

Maggie is constantly fighting for her own survival. But as far as why she stays with Brick? Yeesh. She may be smart and scrappy but she doesn’t know what real love is. She doesn’t know true respect. It was never modeled for her. And so she is fighting for what she thinks is will give her the love and respect she’s been missing her whole life. Unfortunately, she’s just missed the mark on that target.

Brunner: How has doing Cat On A Hot Tin Roof changed you?

Henggeler: I am so grateful for this show because it has changed me. I entered this process, scared, questioning my abilities and seeking validation that I belonged on stage. It was awful. I dreaded each performance because I was so susceptible to the ever changing energy of the audience. I felt like I was fighting each performance to prove myself, to make them like me. If it was a warm audience I would feel on top of the world. But if I didn’t get a laugh or a louder than usual applause I felt gutted. I couldn’t gain any perspective on my performance or myself.

Brunner: How did you navigate that?

Henggeler: After about two weeks of that I knew I was facing a serious Courtney life lesson: in trusting myself and my abilities. I couldn’t focus on what Glen from Scranton thinks but how I feel about my own performance.

I love playing Maggie. I am deeply, deeply in love with her. And I know when I’m grounded in her. I also know when I’m not. I’m not a robot. I will have nights that are not genius and brilliant. But I also know when I’m free, connected and present. And I trust that and myself. I would never have gotten to this point if I didn’t struggle and fight my way here through this process.

Brunner: What surprised you about working with George Clooney in Boys In The Boat?

Henggeler: George Clooney. What class act he is. I only heard lovely things about him leading up to the film. But I wasn’t prepared for how disarmingly effortless he is on a set. He was one of the first directors I ever worked with who was so open with communication. I always knew what shot he was looking for and how he was setting it up. I didn’t realize this had been sorely missing throughout most of my career. His career as an actor made him such a wonderful director to work with. He’s so insightful on both sides of the camera. Plus, you know. Now I can say I know George Clooney.

Brunner: What is the joy of being in Cobra Kai and playing Amanda LaRusso?

Henggeler: Oh sweet Cobra Kai. I don’t know if we have enough time to list all the joys I have being in Cobra Kai but I will say it is a wonderful gift. To be forever in the Karate Kid universe still blows my mind.

The fact that Ralph Macchio shows up at my off-Broadway debut, much less answers my text messages, still leave me confused and delighted. And I’m so grateful to be the voice in the Miyagi-verse that calls out all the weird stuff that happens. Because let’s me honest, some of this stuff is truly nuts. But they have given Amanda such a wonderful way to respond to each increasingly violent/questionable retaliation that my heart just sings.