The Trip to Bountiful (play)

The Trip to Bountiful is a play by American playwright Horton Foote. It tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman living in a cramped Houston apartment with her son, Ludie, and daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae. Carrie yearns to return to her childhood home, the small town of Bountiful, Texas, which has long been abandoned.

Frustrated by the confines of her life and the constant bickering with Jessie Mae, Carrie repeatedly attempts to escape to Bountiful. Her family, concerned for her health and well-being, tries to prevent her from leaving. Despite their efforts, Carrie perseveres, embarking on a journey that involves bus travel and encounters with strangers who help her along the way.

The play explores themes of aging, memory, family relationships, and the search for home and belonging. Carrie's determination to return to Bountiful represents a desire to reconnect with her past and find peace in her final years. The journey itself becomes a metaphor for the passage of time and the challenges of aging.

The Trip to Bountiful premiered as a teleplay in 1953, starring Lillian Gish. It was then adapted for the stage, making its Broadway debut in 1953 with the same star. Geraldine Page won an Academy Award for her performance as Carrie Watts in the 1985 film adaptation. The play has been revived several times, including a 2013 Broadway production starring Cicely Tyson, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Carrie Watts.