The Broadway revival of Horton Foote's "The Trip to Bountiful" features the must-see performance of the season in the shape of Cicely Tyson. She plays Carrie Watts, a strong-willed widow who runs away from her house to visit her hometown one last time before her death. Throughout the years, and in several mediums, Carrie has been played by the likes of Lillian Gish, Lois Smith, Geraldine Page (who won the 1985 Best Actress Oscar) and now by Tyson who breathes new life into the character.

The show sets off to a slow start as we see Carrie practically imprisoned in her son's (Cuba Gooding Jr.) house where she has to adjust to the rules imposed by his wife Jessie Mae (a hilarious Vanessa L. Williams), but when Carrie leaves the house, en route to Bountiful, we see Tyson perform an act of magic as she ages backwards, transforming from a weak old lady, into a symbol of endless hope who changes the lives of the people she meets along the way.

Considering she's surrounded by splendid actors turning in great performances, it’s no small feat for Tyson to take hold of the show to the point where you see no one else when she’s onstage. She dances, makes us laugh, breaks our hearts and even leads the audience into an impromptu church service as she sings “Blessed Assurance” (accompanied by the luminous Condola Rashad). Even if the play sometimes lacks subtlety - particularly with the way Ludie's character is written - watching Tyson act makes for a holy experience.