The Trip to Bountiful focuses on a woman in the twilight of her life who yearns for her childhood home of Bountiful, Texas. She must first escape from the confines of her son and his wife's tiny apartment.

The original production of Bountiful opened on Broadway at the Henry Miller's Theatre, Nov 3, 1953. The production which grew from an earlier teleplay starred Lillian Gish in the lead role. The play was then adapted for the big screen for the 1985 film earning star Geraldine Page an Oscar for her performance.

Foote won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his Tony Award-nominated The Young Man From Atlanta. His other works include The Death of Papa, The Carpetbagger's Children and the nine-play Orphans' Home Cycle.

The cast of the 50th anniversary production features Dee Maaske in the lead as well as the playwright's daughter Hallie Foote and son-in-law Devon Abner. Michelle Federer, Frank Girardeau, Nafe Katter, Alan Rust and Ken Grantham round out the cast. Maaske replaces Jean Stapleton was previously announced to assume the role as matriarch.

Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson helms the work. His credits includes The Glass Menagerie with Elizabeth Ashley and Andrew McCarthy as well as the world premieres of Eve Ensler's Necessary Targets and The Carpetbagger's Children. He will also direct the upcoming Broadway production of Enchanted April and oversee the Broadway transfer of Tea at Five. The design team of Bountiful includes Jeff Cowie (sets), David Woolard (costumes), Rui Rita (lighting) and John Gromada (sound and original compositions).

Tickets for The Trip to Bountiful at the Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street in Hartford, CT, call the box office at (860) 527-5151 or visit their homepage at www.hartfordstage.org.