Cicely Tyson to Return to Broadway in Revival of Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful

Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actress Cicely Tyson will return to Broadway for the first time in 30 years as the lead in a new revival of Horton Foote’s classic drama The Trip to Bountiful. Michael Wilson will direct the production, which begins a 14-week engagement at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on March 31, 2013. Opening night is scheduled for April 23.

First performed on Broadway in 1953, The Trip to Bountiful follows an elderly woman who dreams of returning to her Texas hometown one last time, despite the best wishes of her overprotective son and daughter-in-law.

The new mounting will mark the first major revival for the play since its original production, which won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (Jo Van Fleet).

The Trip to Bountiful will feature scenic design by Jeff Cowie, costume design by Van Broughton Ramsey, lighting design by Rui Rita and original music/sound design by John Gromada.

Tyson made history when she became the first African American to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for 1974’s TV film The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Her 1972 film Sounder earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. On stage, Tyson has starred in shows like The Corn Is Green, Trumpets of the Lord, Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights, A Hand Is on the Gate and Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright. She has recently appeared on film in Alex Cross, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and The Help.