The recent Broadway revival of The Trip to Bountiful will become a TV movie for Lifetime.
There's an ad in Backstage right now looking for stand-ins for Cicely Tyson and Vanessa Williams. It's shooting in Atlanta in November, so it'll probably come out next summer at the earliest.
No mention made of Cuba Gooding, Jr. Maybe he's busy with other projects?
This news makes me so beyond happy!!
They should replace Gooding anyway.
Gooding is a terrible actor, so good riddance if he is indeed not involved. I do wonder if Condola Rashad will be a part of it, since she was in the Lifetime adaptation of STEEL MAGNOLIA.
ROMEO AND JULIET closes November 24th. The notice in Backstage lists the filming dates for this as November 4th to the 30th, so if they push the character of Thelma's scenes to the last week of the shoot, Condola Rashad could seemingly reprise her role.
Given her history with Lifetime and acclaim in the show on Broadway, I hope that's indeed what's planned.
Talent aside, Lifetime could probably care less about Condola, except for the fact that it might just be easier to cast her than get someone else. But if push came to shove, they'd cast somebody else.
I'm thrilled Cuba isn't in the notice, he was appalling. They got Cicely and Vanessa, everything else is just cake.
Unless something has changed very recently, Romeo and Juliet is still set to run through January 12.
theatreguy, my mistake. I forgot it had extended.
With Rashad unavailable (unless ROMEO AND JULIET lets her out to film), my guess is they'll just use Adepero Oduye, who replaced her on Broadway and also has a history with Lifetime having been in STEEL MAGNOLIAS as well.
It may have extended, but something tells me it won't go past Thanksgiving. That said, I'd be happy with Adepero Oduye, she was lovely in the role when Condola left.
I thought she was incredibly boring and had no effect on me. I remember asking my friend how the heck Condola got a Tony-nom out of that role. And Cuba was terrible. I hope they keep it straightforward, but something tells me they'll turn it into a "Tyler Perry presents" over-acting crapfest.
Cicely broke my heart. I am so glad this is being preserved.
Blair Underwood is playing Ludie, according to Variety. No mention of who's playing Thelma.
Blair and Vanessa filming at the terminal station in Macon, Georgia
I would assume it's Keke Palmer (mentioned in the article) playing Thelma.
I wonder if Tom Wopat will play the sherif. He's certainly recognizable to TV folks.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/5/04
Cuba was embarrassing in the show. Condola was good but didn't deserve the nomination. Glad the great Ms. Tyson's performance will be preserved forever and should be great by opening it up to outdoor filming. Good news. On a side note about Cuba - he was a major a**hole pre Tony show- jumping on the hood of a car outside....the ego excedes the talent.
"but something tells me they'll turn it into a "Tyler Perry presents" over-acting crapfest."
Really? What tells you that....?
Yeah, I'm not sure why Cuba Gooding Jr. keeps getting work, other than the words "Oscar-winning actor," which I feel mock him more than credit him at this point. Glad that Underwood replaced him. So sad that neither Condola Rashad or Adepero Oduye are in it, they have both impressed me previously (Rashad in RUINED, Aduye in 12 YEARS A SLAVE) and really love it every time they get work.
I take back every nasty thing I said about Cuba in the role. Frickin' Ironside?!
Last I read, this is airing on the 22nd of February, which is in 8 days. But they haven't released a trailer or anything yet? Is it definitely still airing next weekend?
ETA: Nevermind. Answered my own question. March 8th. http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/the-trip-to-bountiful
Still, though, no trailer yet? Odd. Here are some pictures: http://tinyurl.com/n95na6w
Updated On: 2/14/14 at 08:22 PM
They've finally released a trailer: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/the-trip-to-bountiful/video/the-trip-to-bountiful-preview
The air date is now March 8, not tonight (February 22).
Mark your calendars for March 8th!
LINK
Don't forget to set your DVR, it airs tomorrow night, Saturday 8th!
Facebook Album with Production Shots
Unfortunately, Lifetime has a gazillion commercials which spoils it.
Looking forward to this tonight!
... although I will probably "DVR it," then watch it tomorrow without commercials.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/10
I'm SO excited for this! Hated that I couldn't make it to New York to see this when it was on Broadway, but I am SO happy I'll get to see this!
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