UpStage Artists is proud to present its next production, Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer prize winning play Driving Miss Daisy, this February. Driving Miss Daisy is a play about the growing respect and friendship between an elderly Jewish widow and her African American chauffeur. This heartwarming story is set in Atlanta and spans twenty-five years, 1948 to 1973.
Driving Miss Daisy was inspired by playwright Alfred Uhry's grandmother, Lena Fox, her chauffeur, Will Coleman, and his father. His grandmother, a Jewish woman who lived in Atlanta during the 1960s, had to give up driving after a car accident, and hired Coleman, who drove her for 25 years. In 2013, Uhry stated in an interview ““They’re so vivid because I grew up with them in Atlanta. Lena Fox, my grandmother, was 72 when she smashed her car and the family hired her a chauffeur. His name was Will Coleman, and he drove her around for 25 years. His grandson and I still meet now and then to talk.”
In 1989, Uhry transformed his stage show into an Academy Award winning screenplay. The movie starring Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Ackroyd was a huge success. It was nominated for 9 academy awards including all three main performances, best director, best adapted screenplay and best picture. It won 4 including best picture.
UpStage Artists production will feature Anne Hull from Laurel as Daisy Werthan, Carlos Jordan from Clinton as Hoke Coleburn and the Beltsville News’ own Rick Bergmann as Boolie Werthan. It is directed by John Cusamano of Laurel. There will be six performances, February 18, 19, 25, and 26 at 7: 30 pm and February 20 and 27 at 2 pm at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville, MD 20705. Tickets are $15 and space is limited. All actors have been vaccinated. All audience members will need to be vaccinated (unless you are not in the age range eligible for vaccinations) and wear a mask during the performance. You can buy tickets at www.upstageartists.com/tickets. If you have any questions, you can contact UpStage Artists by email at info@upstageartists.com.