Midland Community Theatre’s production of Driving Miss Daisy will run from October 27 to November 12, bringing timeless themes of racial reconciliation, friendship, and acceptance to the stage.
The 1987 play by Alfred Uhry is directed by Carl Beery Moore, with the adaptation highlighting the journey of Daisy Werthan, an elderly Jewish woman, and Hoke Colburn, her African American chauffeur, as they develop a bond that defies societal norms.
Moore felt strongly about including Driving Miss Daisy in this season's lineup because of its relevance to current social dynamics.
“We are still experiencing racial discrimination in our society,” Moore said. “The play focuses on the conversion of a woman from her personal bigotry to open acceptance. This transformation resonates today, just as it did when the play was first written.”
Casting Daisy and Hoke, the central characters of the play, was no small task, according to Moore.
“Casting is always the same: it’s about who shows up to audition. We have a three-person casting committee to make these choices, and I’m just one member,” he said.
The committee looked for actors capable of embodying Daisy’s initial resistance and Hoke’s dignified patience, key elements to creating the impactful chemistry that brings their story to life.
Moore emphasized that this production takes a historically accurate approach to reflect the 20th-century American South.
“The passing of time is mainly portrayed through Boolie’s costumes,” he noted, referring to Daisy’s son, who appears in multiple stages of his life. While Daisy and Hoke have fewer costume changes, the detailed set and outfits help transport the audience through the decades.
A distinctive aspect of this production is the creative use of a turntable set to transition between scenes, particularly from Daisy’s living room to Hoke’s car.
“The turntable lets us shift seamlessly between scenes,” Moore said. This smooth, visual transition not only helps the narrative flow but also adds a unique twist to Midland Community Theatre’s rendition of the play.
As for the play’s lasting appeal, Moore hopes audiences will leave the theater with “a more open heart,” noting that the story is as timeless as it is impactful.
“People will always have prejudices, and they always need reminders to set those aside,” Moore said.