Grosse Pointe Theatre's The Trip to Bountiful Opens Sunday

follows its season-opening show–-the lighthearted and fun --with a dramatically different type of play--The Trip to Bountiful.

Bountiful opens Sunday, Nov. 6 at the ’s Fries Auditorium with a 2 p.m. show. Directed by Grosse Pointe Woods' Ron Bernas, this play runs high on emotion and just may bring up uncomfortable feelings.

The Trip to Bountiful is the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman living in a three-room apartment in Houston with Ludie, her hen-pecked son, and Jessie Mae, her frustrated and angry daughter-in-law. All Carrie wants is to return to Bountiful, her childhood home, before she dies. Ludie, played by Grosse Pointe Woods’ Jerry Nehr, and Jessie Mae, played by Royal Oak’s Jenni Clark, won’t hear of it. They want to keep Carrie close, despite the fact that they are all completely miserable in their current living arrangements.

circulation clerk Pat Bickley has the lead role of Carrie in this exquisite play. It marks her 72 time on the stage, but inaugural appearance for Grosse Pointe Theatre.

“I have seen many of the Grosse Pointe Theatre plays but have never auditioned for one,” says Bickley, a resident of St. Clair Shores. “This is a small cast compared to the opening musical production. But it is more intense in terms of emotions and relationships. That’s why I couldn’t resist getting involved.”

As Bickley speaks about the play from behind the Grosse Pointe Woods library counter, she waves to a young man carrying a large satchel. It is Dante Bufalini, who works for . Bickley also knows Bufalini from the numerous roles he’s played at Grosse Pointe Theatre, underscoring the “community” aspect of the nonprofit organization.

“The productions the theater does truly are community projects,” Bickley states. “That’s what makes it so enjoyable.”

Bickley is completely believable as Carrie, who has, she thinks, finally figured out a way to make it to Bountiful. Throughout the play, audience members will witness and feel the strong emotions wrapped tight into the small apartment. In one scene, Jessie Mae is livid with “Mother Watts” for going into her dresser drawer to retrieve a lost item. To drive home her point, Jessie Mae rages at Carrie, screaming within inches of her face. It is a powerful scene that is sure to make audience members squirm, but is an honest glimpse into raw emotions with nowhere else to go.

“When you play with someone like Jenni, who has that kind of energy, it makes a scene absolutely electric,” says Bickley. “But there are very sympathetic characters in this play. I have total sympathy for someone like Jessie Mae who has to live in that apartment with a mother-in-law who is constantly singing hymns.”

Likewise, audience members will feel a range of emotions about Ludie and Carrie as the play progresses.

The Trip to Bountiful has show dates of November 6, 10-13 and 17-19. The Sunday shows are 2 p.m. matinees, while all other performances begin at 8 p.m. There is no intermission in this show. To purchase tickets, priced at $18, for The Trip to Bountiful, please go to the theater web site or call at 313-881-4004.