About "Driving Miss Daisy"

Ornery, strong-willed widow Daisy Wertham has just demolished another car, leaving her son no recourse but to hire her a driver. His chosen chauffeur, Hoke, a thoughtful, unemployed black man who couldn’t seem to have less in common with his wealthy, Jewish client. The odd couple endure humorous and heartwarming struggles in their forced relationship, giving way over twenty-five years to a closeness and understanding that transcends the Civil Rights era in the Deep South. 

Production Photos

Photos by Joe Landry

Press Release

Pulitzer Prizing-Winning “Driving Miss Daisy” at MTC MainStage

Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, Fairfield County's award-winning professional theatre company, continues its 2014/2015 season with "Driving Miss Daisy" the Pulitzer prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry. Performances are January 30-February 22, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, at The Melissa & Doug Theatre at The New MTC, 509 Westport Avenue (behind the Jones New York and Nine West Outlet) in Norwalk, CT. Tickets range from $25-$50 ($5 discount for seniors/students) and are available by calling 203.454.3883 or visiting www.musictheatreofct.com

"Driving Miss Daisy" begins in 1948 when Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old Jewish widow living in Atlanta, is deemed too old to drive. Her son Boolie hires Hoke Coleburn, an African American, to serve as her chauffeur. What begins as a troubled and hostile pairing soon blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between them. Their relationship, spanning a 25 year period, is a reflection of critical changes in American society. Daisy and Hoke deal with anti-Semitism, racism, and class differences while their bond grows ever stronger. Full of wit and charm, Miss Daisy and Hoke take audiences on an unforgettable journey of friendship told with humor, warmth and beauty; as it gently raises questions about serious issues including aging and bigotry. Critics call the play "funny, touching, totally irresistible comedy...a delight."

The play, written by Alfred Uhry, premiered  in 1987 Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. Two years later the play was made into a film with Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. Alfred Uhry received an Academy award for Best Adapted Screenplay while the film was awarded Best Picture. "Driving Miss Daisy" was Uhry's first play and was followed by "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" and "Parade," both Tony award-winners. He also wrote the book for the Broadway musical "LoveMusik."

MTC's professional Equity cast includes Rebecca Hoodwin as Daisy. Hoodwin's credits include Golde in over a dozen productions of "Fiddler on the Roof," including tours with Theodore Bikel, Harvey Fierstein and as Yente with Topol. Other credits include "The Pajama Game" with Hal Linden, "Lorelei" with Carol Channing and "Camelot" with Richard Harris and Rock Hudson. Television credits include "Nurse Jackie" and "As the World Turns." Daisy's driver Hoke will be played by Lorenzo Scott whose credits include "Dutchman" for Classical Theatre of Harlem, "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Fences" at New Harmony Theatre. Commercials include American Express, Cablevision, Chase and Walmart, and Scott is also the voice for the station identification for PBS/Channel 13. Rounding out the cast as Daisy's son Boolie is Fairfield resident Michael Boland who appeared on Broadway in "An Enemy of the People," on tour with "Twelve Angry Men" and "West Side Story," and as part of the Drama Desk Award-winning ensemble of the Off-Broadway epic "Orphans’ Home Cycle." Television and film credits include "Person of Interest," "Zero Hour, "Rubicon," and star of the indie feature "Bobby Dogs."

"Driving Miss Daisy" is directed by MTC co-founder and Executive Artistic Director Kevin Connors. The design team includes set design by David Huevelman, lighting design by Tyler H. First and costumes designed by Diane Vanderkroef. The production is stage managed by Jim Schilling.

MTC is proud to partner again this season with Rizzuto's Wood-Fired Kitchen and Bar of Westport, offering a special discount to "Driving Miss Daisy" ticket holders. See the MTC website for details.

###

Who's Who

MIKE BOLAND (Boolie Werthan) makes his MTC debut as Boolie. He has appeared on Broadway in An Enemy of the People and in national/international tours of Twelve Angry Men and West Side Story. Off-Broadway, Mike was part of the Drama Desk Award-winning ensemble that performed the epic Orphans’ Home Cycle at both the Signature Theater in New York and at Hartford Stage. Mike has appeared in regional theaters around the country, and many times in Connecticut, including Hartford Stage, Theaterworks, Long Wharf, Ivoryton and Playhouse on Park. He had appeared on TV in Person of Interest, Zero Hour and Rubicon, and starred in the indie feature film Bobby Dogs.

REBECCA HOODWIN (Daisy Werthan) began her professional career as 21-year-old “mom” to Harvey Korman in Little Me, continuing this ‘motherly’ tradition playing Golde in over a dozen productions of Fiddler on the Roof, including tours with Theodore Bikel, Harvey Fierstein and performed Yente with Topol.  Favorites include The Pajama Game with Hal Linden; Loreli with Carol Channing; Camelot with Richard Harris, and a memorable day as Guenevere opposite Rock Hudson; Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider) at North Carolina Theatre; Mike Reiss’ I’m Connecticut at Ivoryton Playhouse; and Variation Theatre Group’s recent production of Talk Radio. Television credits include Nurse Jackie (Sister Jean-Charlotte), ESPN w/David Ortiz, and As the World Turns (Homeless Woman). (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) www.rebeccahoodwin.com

LOREZNO SCOTT (Hoke Coleburn) started his acting career doing independent films,commercials and theatre in NYC. Lorenzo can be seen in commercials for American Express,Cablevision,Chase/freedom and Walmart/Coke. Everyone is familiar with his voice from the station identification for PBS/Channel 13.  Some of his NY credits include: Dutchman for Classical Theatre of Harlem,The African Company presents Richard lll for the Theater Project and Much Ado About Nothing for Oberon Theatre Ensemble.Regional Theatre: Driving Miss Daisy at the Fireside Theatre and Gabriel in Fences at New Harmony Theatre. Lorenzo would like to thank Kevin and MTC.