TAVIS SMILEY | Vanessa L. Williams | October 3, 2014

Tonight on PBS, I'm joined by multi-platinum singer and actress, Vanessa L. Williams, whose career spans more than three decades. Among her accomplishments -- three Emmy nominations for her role in "Ugly Betty", and a Tony nomination for her performance in a revival of "Into the Woods."
Last year, her role as the daughter-in-law in the Broadway revival of "The Trip to Bountiful" earned her a slew of additional acting nominations. The play, starring Cecily Tyson, with Blair Underwood as her son, is now at the Ahmanson Theatre here in Los Angeles.
The play was written by Horton Foote for television back in 1953 and starred Lillian Gish. Over the years it's often been revived, but this is the first time "The Trip to Bountiful" has been done with an all Black cast.
In this clip, I asked Vanessa why she thinks the play works so well with an all Black cast.
For more of my conversation with Vanessa L. Williams, be sure to tune-in to Tavis Smiley on PBS tonight. Check our website for your local TV listings: ‪.