The cast also features Tony nominee Vanessa Williams, who co-starred in the recent Broadway production. The two are joined by Blair Underwood and Keke Palmer. Michael Wilson, who directed the stage production, repeats his work for the TV film, which filmed in Atlanta in late 2013.
"The Trip to Bountiful" airs at 8 PM ET, with repeat broadcasts to follow March 9 at 12 AM, March 9 at 9 PM and March 10 at 1 AM.
In "The Trip to Bountiful," according to press notes, "Carrie Watts (Tyson) begrudgingly lives with her busy, overprotective son, Ludie (Underwood) and her snooty daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae (Williams). No longer able to drive and forbidden to travel alone, she wishes for freedom from the confines of the house and begs her son to take her on a visit to her hometown of Bountiful. When he refuses, Mrs. Watts is undeterred and makes an escape to the local bus station, where she befriends Thelma (Palmer), a young woman traveling home. When Ludie and Jessie Mae discover she is gone, they call in law enforcement to help, but Mrs. Watts is one step ahead of them and convinces the local sheriff to help her on her journey home to Bountiful."
Produced by Ostar Productions, "The Trip to Bountiful" is executive-produced by Bill Haber, Cicely Tyson, Hallie Foote and Jeff Hayes.
Composer John Gromada has written an original score for the Lifetime movie based on his original Broadway score for the revival. The Broadway production of The Trip to Bountiful ended its run at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre Oct. 9, 2013. Upon closing, Bountiful played a total of 178 performances.
The play was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Play (Cicely Tyson), Best Featured Actress in a Play (Condola Rashad), Best Sound Design for a Play (John Gromada) and Best Revival of a Play. Tyson won the Tony Award for her performance as Mother Carrie Watts, as well as the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award.
The original Broadway company also included Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. ("Jerry Maguire," "Red Tails"), Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad (Lifetime's "Steel Magnolias," Broadway's Stick Fly), Tony nominee Tom Wopat, Devon Abner, Curtis Billings, Pat Bowie, Leon Addison Brown, Arthur French, Susan Heyward, Bill Kux, Linda Powell and Charles Turner.
Watch a preview below:
