*The New York Daily News' Gatecrasher column is reporting that Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard will make his Broadway debut in Debbie Allen's all-black version of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

"It's confirmed. We're there," the column quoted of show producer, Stephen Byrd, Tuesday. "Terrence and I were together last week; he's on board."

Howard is reportedly set to play Brick in the classic Tennessee Williams play. Others tipped to join the African-American production include Phylicia Rashad, Giancarlo Esposito and James Earl Jones as Big Daddy, according to Gatecrasher.

The column also cites sources who say the role of Maggie the Cat - immortalized by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1958 film version opposite Paul Newman - is coming down to either Anika Noni Rose or Kerry Washington.

The play will open March 6 at the Broadhurst Theatre following three weeks of previews.