Shreveport Little Theatre presents classic
“The Trip to Bountiful” began as a television play, went on to Broadway and even came to the big screen as a motion picture. It tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly lady who worries her life is ending before she’s ready. Watts has things to do, and she longs for what have been called “the good old days.”
The Shreveport Little Theatre will present this classic on its historic stage beginning Jan. 9, directed by Richard King and starring Candace Higginbotham as the indefatigable Watts. King said the play is technically a drama but does not deserve the harsher connotations of that genre.
“It’s a bit of a tearjerker, but it’s sweet,” King said. “You just feel for these people. It’s not a tragedy. Drama is too hard a word to describe it. The audience will end up caring deeply for these characters.”
Set in 1950s Texas, the story is about a woman who has to live with a daughterin-law who hates her and a son who dares not take her side in the conflict. They live in Houston in a small apartment, but Watts dreams of returning to her childhood home, Bountiful. She has run away before to try to get back there but has been caught each time. This attempt results in Watts heading for the bus station. As she boards the bus bound for her memories, her journey reveals more of her story.
“The Trip to Bountiful” was written by Horton Foote. It premiered as a television production in March 1953 on NBC television. From there, it went to Broadway where, in 1954, it earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for actress Jo Van Fleet. In 2013, it was again on the Great White Way, this time starring Cicely Tyson in the lead.
King said the audience will learn something about each of the characters in this tale. For example, when Watts meets a young woman in the bus station, she feels free to open up to this new acquaintance. “Because she doesn’t really know [the young woman], Carrie feels like she can tell her a whole lot of things about herself. Watts is very friendly and very open, and the audience learns a lot about her past. She’s not had it easy, that’s for sure. She’s got a very positive outlook in spite of all her difficulties,” King said.
The director said the audience will relate to the yearning Watts embodies, a yearning for the past and what once was.
In this case, Bountiful has been bypassed by progress. “As it turns out, Bountiful doesn’t really exist anymore,” King said. “It’s overgrown. Everyone who ever lived there has moved away or died. The new roads have bypassed this little community so it’s just tumbled down.”
The conflict for Watts is she knows she is getting older, and she wants to see her childhood home again before she dies. “There’s a line in the show where [Watts] says, ‘The time is going, the time is going.’ I just love that line. She wants to get going and see a few things before she [dies] because the time is going, and she knows it,” King said. He said all three of the major characters come to grips with what is real in life, coming to accept what is real. “People will identify with that,” he said.
Steven Scarlotto is cast as Luddie, Watts’ son, and Reagan Cassanova will portray daughter-in-law Jessie Mae. Thelma, the young girl who meets Watts on the bus will be played by Cara Johnston.
Throughout its history, the play has gathered quite a few awards and glowing reviews. King said local audiences should find out why when they come to see this production. “What we learn about these characters is what’s important. Not whether [Watts] gets to go or whether she gets to get there. It’s the journey. We learn a lot about her past,” he said.
The show opens Jan. 9 for two weekends at the Shreveport Little Theatre on Margaret Place, and tickets are on sale now. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Jan. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 12 and 19. For ticket prices, reservations or additional information, call 424-4439.
As to whether Watts makes it to Bountiful on this attempt, King said, “You’ll just have to come see the play.”
Joe Todaro may be reached at joetodaro@scribio.com.
