The Trip to Bountiful: Cicely Tyson to star

Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson will return to Broadway for the first time in 30 years to star in a new production of Horton Foote'S The Trip to Bountiful, directed by Michael Wilson.

The revival will open at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on 23 Apr 2012, following previews from 31 Mar 2012, playing a 14-week limited engagement.

"For years I have been searching for the perfect project to bring me back to my true home - the stage," stated Tyson. "In many ways Broadway is my Bountiful and I'm eager and honored to return with this strong, passionate, and funny character in a timeless American classic."

"The Trip to Bountiful is among Horton's most beloved plays, and Carrie Watts, one of his most memorable characters. To do the play and role justice, you need an actress of rare stature and command, " said director Michael Wilson. "Cicely Tyson has, over the span of a distinguished career, depicted iconic Americans engaged in immese struggle. Her legendary performances - from Jane Pittman to Coretta Scott King to Harriet Tubman, to name just a few -- have contributed mightily to our sense of national identity and character. I am thrilled that she is returning to the stage now to have her trip, to lead us all on a journey that promises to be unforgettable."

The Trip to Bountiful tells the story of 'Carrie Watts,' an elderly woman who dreams of returning to her small hometown of Bountiful, TX one last time, against the wishes of her overprotective son and domineering daughter-in-law.

The show will be produced on Broadway by Nelle Nugent. The creative team includes set sets by Jeff Cowie, costumes by Van Broughton Ramsey, lighting by Rui Rita and sound by John Gromada.

The Trip to Bountiful premiered as a teleplay on NBC in 1953, starring Lillian Gish as 'Carrie Watts.' The play had its Broadway premiere later that year with the same cast, which also included Eva Marie Saint. The play was adapted by Foote into an acclaimed 1985 film starring Geraldine Page, for which she won the Academy Award. In 2005, Signature Theatre produced the play Off-Broadway starring Lois Smith, for which she won Lortel, Obie, Outer Critics and Drama Desk Awards.

Bios:

Cicely Tyson is a stage, film and TV actress who is known for her Oscar-nominated role in the film "Sounder" and Emmy nominated roles in "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" and "Roots." Tyson won an Emmy award for "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All," and was also nominated for Emmys for her roles in "King," "Hallmark Hall of Fame," "Sweet Justice," "A Lesson Before Dying" and "Relative Stranger." Tyson last appeared on Broadway in 1983 when she starred in 'The Corn Is Green.' Other Broadway credits include 'Trumpets of the Lord' (1969), 'Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights' (1968), 'A Hand Is on the Gate' (1966), 'Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright' (1962) and 'The Cool World' (1960).

Horton Foote's drama 'The Young Man From Atlanta.' won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and its Broadway production at the Longacre Theatre in 1997 was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. The playwright has been awarded two academy awards, the first for his adapation of "To Kill a Mocking Bird in 1962, and the latter for his screeen play "The Trip to Bountiful" in 1985, which was presented off-Broadway by the Signature Theatre Company in 2005. In 2008 his play 'Dividing the Estate' won a 2009 Tony Award Best Play and eaned his daughter 'Hallie Foot,'

Michael Wilson directed the Lincoln Center Theater's production of Horton Foote's 'The Carpetbagger's Children' in 2002 and Primary Stages production of Foote's 'The Day Emily Married' in 2004. Wilson's Broadway credits include Horton Foote's 'Dividing the Estate,' which won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play and earned the playwright's daughter 'Hallie Foot,' a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress. Othe Broadway credits include 'The Bast Man,' (2012), 'Old Acquaintance' (revival 2007),' 'Chtty Chitty Bang Bang' (2005), 'Enchanted April' (2003) and 'The Three Sisters' (revival 1997).