Driving Miss Daisy

This is the cast to see. The story is touching, the sets are simple, but the cast- Venessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines are worth any trip to the theater. First class all the way.

Although hokey and trite this production of Driving Miss Daisy is endearing and heartwarming thaks to three great performances...Vanessa Redgrave...James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines.You will not see better acting I assure than what is provided by these pros. This is a master class in the art of stage acting. I urge anyone interested in superior theatre not to miss it !

Driving Miss Daisy has finally arrived on Broadway. Originally an Off-Broadway play in 1987 took the most coveted Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1988 and eventually adapted to a film and won 4 out of 9 nominations of the 1990 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Makeup and Best Actress. Alfred Uhry?s perennial story of a 72-year old cantankerous Jewish widow Daisy Werthan Vanessa Redgrave living by herself, except for an African American housekeeper, Idella, in 1948 Atlanta, Georgia, where race relations in America were in isolation. Dealing with her failing health, her son Boolie Werthan Boyd Gaines hires an African American chauffer Hoke Colburn James Earl Jones. Miss Daisy?s hostility towards Colburn eventually progressed into a discerning friendship. I find it unfathomable not to compare the trademark of Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman in the 1989 film to this original Broadway production. It should have not taken 22 years to bring it to Broadway. I do not know anyone who does not love the movie. I would have liked to see Idella on stage. She could have given much break and support to Vanessa Redgrave. Redgrave hardly changed costumes had a malfunction as her parts were instantaneous. Her portrayal is steadfast up the end. Hearing the voice Darth Vader, Mufasa and intone ?This is CNN? is a theatre is overwhelming. James Earl Jones is immaculate as Hoke Colburn. Boyd Gaines is exemplary as Boolie Werthan. It sure is a monumental remembrance to see these great actors of our generation perform on stage. You can feel the deep love from the audience as they applaud to Redgraves and Jones from a simple facial expression to a light joke. Having said that, this is one of those where I prefer the film version over the Broadway presentation. Special mention to John Lee Beatty?s quaint Scenic Design, Wendall K. Harrington?s engaging Projection Design and Peter Kaczorowski?s sequential Lighting Design. You made the show enchanting. Favorite Miss Daisy line: "Are you trying to irritate me in the middle of a nice storm?"