On Golden Pond's James Earl Jones and Leslie Uggams on Weekend Today March 27

The weekend edition of The Today Show, Weekend Today airs nationally Sundays between 8AM-9AM on NBC (Channel 4 in the tri-state area). The interview will air live in the second half-hour of the broadcast.

Written by Ernest Thompson (who won an Academy Award for adapting his own play into the screenplay for the 1981 hit film), On Golden Pond is directed by Leonard Foglia (Master Class). Now in previews, the play will open on Thursday, April 7 at The Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street).

This production, which premiered last Fall at The Kennedy Center, marks James Earl Jones' eagerly-awaited return to the Broadway stage for the first time since earning his second Tony Award for Fences in 1987. It is also the first major U.S. production to feature African-American performers playing the family (representing a majority of the characters in the play).

Delivering performances that won critical acclaim in DC, Mr. Jones and Ms. Uggams co-star as the lovable curmudgeon Norman and his spirited wife, Ethel in this heartwarming and hilarious celebration of the everyday struggles and ultimate triumphs of life, love and family.

Joining Mr. Jones and Ms. Uggams are Linda Powell as Chelsea, Peter Francis James as Bill, Craig Bockhorn as Charlie and Alexander Mitchell as Billy. The production features set design by Ray Klausen, costume design by Jane Greenwood, lighting design by Brian Nason and sound design and original music by Dan Moses Schreier.

Since its original production, On Golden Pond has been presented on 6 continents, in 38 countries and in 24 languages. To this day, in the U.S. alone there are, on average, 100 productions a year. Among the many stars that have appeared in productions are Maurice Evans, Jack Klugman, Jean Marais, Don Knotts, Charles Durning, Buddy Ebsen, James Whitmore, Patrick O'Brien, Julie Harris, Sada Thompson, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

To purchase tickets ($41.25 - $91.25), go online at www.telecharge.com, call (212) 239-6200 or visit The Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street).

For more information, visit the show's official website at www.GoldenPondOnBroadway.com.

James Earl Jones has a long and distinguished career on stage that includes memorable performances in The Great White Hope (Tony Award), Fences (Tony Award), "MASTER HAROLD"...and the boys, The Iceman Cometh and Othello. His many films include The Great White Hope (Academy Award nomination), Dr. Strangelove and Field of Dreams, but he is probably best known as the voices of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films and Mufasa in Disney's The Lion King. He's won two Emmy Awards and recently earned his eighth nomination for his guest appearance on "Everwood." His last Broadway appearance was in the 1987 production of Fences, for which he won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. He subsequently took the play to L.A., where he won the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award.

Leslie Uggams won the Tony for Leading Actress in a Musical for Hallelujah, Baby! and received a second nomination for Leading Actress in a Play for her performance in August Wilson's King Hedley II. She most recently appeared on Broadway as Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie and additional Broadway credits include Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (also on national tour), Jerry's Girls and Blues in the Night. She performs concerts with symphonies across the country and is fondly remembered by television audiences as Kizzy in the miniseries "Roots." Her countless recordings include her most recent CD, On My Way to You.