The Theatre Department of Dyersburg State Community College will present Horton Foote’s award-winning play, “The Trip to Bountiful,” April 17-19.
The play, set in 1947, is centered on Carrie Watts, an elderly woman living in a small apartment in Houston with her son Ludie and his difficult wife, Jessie Mae. Mrs. Watts wants to return to her beloved homeplace of Bountiful, Texas, once more before she dies, but her son and daughter-in-law feel she is too weak and don’t have the money to spare to send her.
When Jessie Mae goes out for a Coca-Cola™ at the drug store, Mrs. Watts seizes the opportunity to flee on a Greyhound bus with her pension check. Along the way, she meets a lovely young lady named Thelma and a kindly sheriff who help her reach her destination, only to find that things have changed considerably in her 20-year absence. Despite By the time Ludie and Jessie Mae come to get her, Mrs. Watts is resigned to returning with them, now that she’s had her trip.
The DSCC Theatre production includes the following cast members comprised of both DSCC students and area residents: Kari Bernier as Carrie Watts, Shawn Gilbreath as Ludie, Sarah Townson as Thelma, Cody Grills as the Second Harrison Ticket Man, Rickey Haynes as the Houston Ticket Man, Bobby Solmon as the Sheriff and Emily Bernier, Leigha Townsend and Ethan Spiess as the Travelers, all of Dyersburg; Kimberley Jetton of Newbern as Jessie Mae, and Chase Sowell of Union City as the Harrison Ticket Man.
Members of the production crew include Jonathan Thompson of Dyersburg and Brandon Bennett of Newbern.
Due to renovation of the First Citizens National Bank Auditorium, the production of “The Trip to Bountiful” will be held in the E.H. Lannom Jr. Gymnasium on the DSCC campus.
Admission, available only at the door, is $3 for students, senior citizens and DSCC faculty and staff; and $5 for all others.
The April 18 performance is billed as “Red Hat Society” night, with Red Hat Society members treated to a reception following the performance.
For additional Information, call Meleia Lewis at (731) 286-3261.
Published in The Messenger 4.10.08