Horton Foote's The Carpetbagger's Children opens its world premiere engagement at Houston's Alley Theatre June 6. Foote's daughter Hallie stars in the new drama, alongside Roberta Maxwell and Jean Stapleton. The Carpetbagger's Children, directed by Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson, runs through July 1 on the Neuhaus Arena Stage.

Told from the point of view of the three daughters of a Union soldier, The Carpetbagger's Children shows a Northern man, forced to fight in Texas during the Civil War, who then falls in love with the land and moves there after the conflict. Foote plays Sissie, the youngest daughter, while Maxwell portrays Cornelia, the practical one, and Stapleton, the rebellious Grace Anne.

Foote has performed in several of her father's works, including The Death of Papa and The Last of the Thorntons. Maxwell starred in the national tour of Lettice and Lovage opposite Julie Harris and won Obies for Ashes and Whistle in the Dark. Stapleton is best known for her portrayal of Edith on "All in the Family," but she has oft worked with Foote, playing in The Roads to Home, Night Seasons and Death of Papa.

Horton Foote won the Pulitzer Prize for The Young Man from Atlanta and two Oscars, for "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Tender Mercies." He was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1996.

Following the Alley engagement, The Carpetbagger's Children will travel to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis (Aug. 3-Sept. 2) and to Hartford Stage (Sept. 6-23). Tickets are $42-$37. The Alley Theatre is located at 615 Texas Avenue. For reservations, call (713) 228-8421 or (800) 259-ALLE. The Alley Theatre is on the web at http://www.alleytheatre.com.

— By Christine Ehren