A poignant tale of growing up - AAAA presents 'The Trip to the Bountiful'

• Sheriff and Mrs. Watts

Echo Press photos by Celeste Beam Playing the role of sheriff in the upcoming production of “The Trip to the Bountiful,” is Pete Woit (left). Miriam Thornquist (right) plays the part of Carrie Watts.
• Jessie Mae and Ludie

Echo Press photo by Celeste Beam The roles of Jessie Mae and Ludie Watts are played by Kara Gerdes (left) and Quincy Roers (right).

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The Alexandria Area Arts Association (AAAA) Theatre is proud to announce its fourth, and final, production of the 2008-2009 season.

The Trip to the Bountiful, a poignant – and at times, heartbreaking – ultimate life-affirming story of Carrie Watts, will open at the downtown theater on Friday, March 27.

The show will run March 27-29 and April 3-5. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 10 and younger.

Tickets can be reserved at the box office Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. by calling (320) 762-8300 or at the box office one hour prior to performance times.

All ticket sales are final and there are no refunds or exchanges.

The play is written by Horton Foote, who is best known for his Oscar-winning screenplay, To Kill a Mockingbird. Sharon Thalmann will direct The Trip to the Bountiful. Sponsors of this production include Bremer Bank and Raapers Eatery and Ale.

The story will touch the heart of anyone who is growing older or loves someone who is.

Nearing the end of life, Carrie Watts lives with her bossy daughter-in-law, Jessie Mae, and son, Ludie, in their three-room Houston apartment.

Watts is determined to outwit her daughter-in-law and return to her childhood home of Bountiful, Texas, which she left three decades ago.

Ludie’s mother escapes from the apartment with her pension check in hand. She boards a bus and befriends a young woman.

And with the help of a station attendant and a sympathetic sheriff, Watts completes the final 12 miles of her journey before her family catches up with her.

For more information, contact the AAAA Theatre at (320) 762-8300.

CAST

Carrie Watts – Miriam Thornquist

Ludie Watts – Quincy Roers

Jessie Mae Watts – Kara Gerdes

Thelma – Joan Wittrock

Crump Fulcher and Driver #2 – Gene Meier

Sam Weston – Roland Boyce

Roy – Paul Schoenack

Sheriff – Pete Woit

Travelers in the bus depot:

Betty Hulick – Claudia Bursch

Virginia Clemmensen – Ann Hermes

Vivien Hanson – Barb Kruse

Barbara Ann Busche – Mary Ann Maameri

Charlene McPherson – Sandy Susag

Wyatt Applebaum and Driver #1 – John Thalmann

Bernice Applebaum – Sheena Hachmann

CREW

Director – Sharon Thalmann

Assistant director – Christy Meier

Producer – Jamie Sandberg

Set design and construction – John Thalmann

Lighting design – Quincy Roers

Costumes and hair design – Nancy Berns

Props – Barb Grover and Kay Dalthorp

Sound and light boards – Jake Stone

Graphic design – Keri Mohror

Makeup design – Paul Schoenack

Tags: entertainment, alexandria, area, arts, association, theatre, the, trip, to, the, bountiful, play, production