Adepero Oduye Boards THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL Cast as 'Thelma'

Adepero Oduye will assume the role of Thelma in the critically acclaimed revival of Horton Foote's American masterpiece, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, on Tuesday, July 16th. Oduye is best known for her acclaimed breakout role in Dee Ree's Sundance film, Pariah, and for her performance opposite Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard and Phylicia Rashad in the Lifetime Television movie, Steel Magnolias. Condola Rashad, who also co-starred with Oduye in Steel Magnolias, played her final performance as Thelma on Sunday, July 14.

Making her Broadway debut, Adepero Oduye has appeared onstage in Eclipsed at Yale Repertory Theatre and The Bluest Eye at Hartford Stage and Long Wharf Theatre. Oduye can be seen in the upcoming film, Twelve Years a Slave, directed by Steven McQueen, opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor and Brad Pitt. Oduye is a Cornell University graduate.

Adepero Oduye joins the star-studded revival starring Cicely Tyson in a universally praised performance that has received every major theatre award of this season -- the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award; Academy Award-winner CUBA GOODING, JR; Emmy Award nominee and recording star Vanessa Williams; and Tony Award nominee Tom Wopat.

The inspiring American classic, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman forced to live with her overprotective son and domineering daughter-in-law, who dreams of returning to her small hometown of Bountiful, TX one last time. Her journey becomes a heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming and inspiring tale that examines the fragility of memory and celebrates the enduring power of hope and faith.

Directed by Michael Wilson, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL has received two extensions due to popular demand and is currently playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre (124 W 43rd Street) through October 9, 2013. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday through Thursday at 7pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, Sunday at 3pm. Starting the week of August 20, 2013 the schedule will change to: Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are available at the box office, www.Telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200.

Terry Teachout of the Wall Street Journal states, "I've never been more deeply moved by a theatrical production of any kind. THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL is without flaw!" David Cote from Time Out NY calls the show, "Soul-stirring and flawless. THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL seems as fresh and vibrant as the day Horton Foote finished it." Mark Kennedy from Associate Press heralds, "Broadway has a new heroine. Cicely Tyson is sublime! She is feisty, funny and glowing with inner light." And Roma Torre from NY1 raves that Cicely Tyson's tour-de-force performance is, "one that's sure to be talked about for the next 60 years!"

THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL also features Devon Abner, Curtis Billings, Pat Bowie, Leon Addison Brown, Arthur French, Susan Heyward, Bill Kux, Linda Powell and Charles Turner.

Go N'Syde 'Joy' is the official beverage of THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL. Go N'Syde Beverages are the first and only tea-based formulations designed to access the essence of today's favorite Icons through refreshing interactive experiences. More than one-of-a-kind flavors; Go N'Syde connects the joy and passion of being a true fan with next-gen satisfaction in every sip.

THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL is produced by Nelle Nugent, Kevin Liles, Paula Marie Black, David R. Weinreb, Stephen C. Byrd, Alia M. Jones, Kenneth Teaton, Carole L. Haber, Philip Geier, Wendy Federman, Carl Moellenberg, Ricardo Hornos, Fifty Church Street Productions, HAllie Foote, Tyson and Kimberly Chandler in association with Joseph Sirola, Howard and Janet Kagan, Charles Salameno, SHARON A. CARR, Patricia R. Klausner, Raymond Gaspard, Andrea M. Price, Willette Murphy Klausner and Reginald M. Browne and associate producers Francesca Zambello, Faith Gay, Marvet Britto and Randolph Sturrup.