THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL to Open Raven Theatre's 2013-14 Season, 9/23

Raven Theatre welcomes you home in The Trip to Bountiful by Horton Foote, directed by JoAnn Montemurro. Opening night is Monday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception following in Raven's lobby. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Dear Mrs. Watts is living a life she didn't choose - a dependent to her son and daughter-in-law in their cramped Houston apartment. If she could just make it to Bountiful, Texas, one last time to see her beloved home and friends, she could live the rest of her days in peace. Will she make it this time? What will she find if she gets there? This heartfelt drama is presented 60 years after the original Broadway production.

Director JoAnn Montemurro states, "This story beautifully melds the soft-spoken nobility of Mrs. Watts' character with the rage and angst that she carries. While she is simple and small, her quest for dignity is universal. She knows that without it, life is not worth living."

Horton Foote was a Pulitzer Prize, Writers Guild of America Screen Award, and double Academy Award winning playwright and author, best known for his screenplays for To Kill a Mockingbird and Tender Mercies. His work often told stories of ordinary people handling the harsh realities of life and the strength of the human spirit.

Director JoAnn Montemurro is a co-founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Raven Theatre where she has directed productions of Bus Stop, The Long Goodbye, Lord Byron's Love Letter and Grace & Glorie. She has also appeared as an actress in many roles. Along with co-artistic director Michael Menendian, JoAnn received a special Jeff Award for outstanding contribution to Chicago theatre in 2008.

The cast of The Trip to Bountiful includes: Millie Hurley (Mrs. Watts) who received a Jeff Award and an After Dark Award for her role in Raven's production ofDancing at Lughnasa and has also performed with Lifeline Theatre, Mary Arrchie Theater and Redtwist Theatre; Mike Boone (Ludie Watts) who was recently seen at Raven in The Big Knife and Dating Walter Dante; Eleanor Katz (Jessie Mae Watts) who was seen at Raven in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and has worked with Boho and Redtwist; Jen Short (Thelma) who was recently seen at Raven in The Big Knife and Bus Stop; Larry Carani (Houston Tix Man/Sheriff) who was last seen at Raven in The Odd Couple; Conor Clark (Harrison Tix Man/A Traveler) who is making his Raven debut and is a recent graduate of Columbia College and Justin Castellano (Second Houston Tix Man) who has also worked with Redtwist.

The Trip to Bountiful staff includes: Ray Toler (Set Design), Kate Murphy (Costume Design), Diane Fairchild (Lighting Design), Luke Sword (Sound Design),Mary O'Dowd (Properties Design/Set Dressing), Andrei Onegin (Technical Director). Kate Masiak serves as Stage Manager and Justin Castellano serves as Assistant Stage Manager/Master Electrician.