Tom Hanks is making his Broadway debut this season in Nora Ephron’s final play “Lucky Guy.” Bette Midler is even returning to the “Great White Way” for a one-woman-show in “I’ll Eat You Last,” where she’ll depict the life of Hollywood agent Sue Mengers. Although shows with Tom and Bette are exciting, after a 30-year absence, acclaimed actress Cicely Tyson returns to the stage for “The Trip to Bountiful” – that’s entertainment!
“The Trip to Bountiful” is the story of “Carrie Watts,” an elderly woman who wants to visit her hometown of Bountiful, TX, one more time before she passes on. However her son and daughter-in-law, portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Vanessa Williams respectively, really wish she didn’t. Watts is not discouraged however, as her journey is a life-affirming trip, that examines love, hope, and faith. Condola Rashad also stars in the production that opens Tuesday, April 23rd at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York City.
A Broadway revival of Horton Foote’s classic play, The Trip to Bountiful will run for only 14 weeks. Preview performances begin Sunday, March 31st. A recipient of many awards in her long career, Tyson was the first African American to win an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Lead Actress,” for her portrayal of Jane Pittman. Her previous Broadway credits include: “Trumpets of the Lord”/ 1969: “A Hand Is On The Gate”/ 1966; “Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright”/ 1963; “The Cool World”/ 1960; “Jolly’s Progress”/ 1959, for which she was the late Eartha Kitt’s understudy; and “The Corn is Green”/ 1983.
Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding, Jr., known for his roles in “Jerry Maguire” and “Boyz n the Hood”; Emmy Award nominee, singing and recording star Vanessa Williams who took on roles in TV shows “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives,” in recent years; and recent Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad, who appeared in Alicia Key’s Broadway production “Stick Fly” and in Lifetime Television’s “Steel Magnolias” remake, are all excited about joining the living legend for the limited engagement. At a recent event held at New York’s famous Sardi’s restaurant, in celebration of the play returning to Broadway after 60 years, Tyson admits that returning to Broadway after such a long absence is “a little frightening,” but says after this she can retire – click on link below.
Other plays opening this season include: “Kinky Boots,” which stars the phenomenal Billy Porter; “Matilda the Musical”, based on Roald Dahl’s book; “Motown” the story of the pioneering record label; “Pippin,” which starred the legendary Ben Vereen back in the day; and “Jekyll & Hyde,” which stars R&B vocalist Deborah Cox, just to name a few.
for the Love of Broadway
c-dub
