The Barnstormers Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry from August 12 to 16.
Tamworth, NH --Driving Miss Daisy is the story of a relationship between an elderly southern Jewish lady and her African-American chauffeur over several decades. Heartwarming, honest, and with brilliant writing, Driving Miss Daisy features two of the American theatre's most memorable characters. From its off Broadway beginnings, the play was later made into a film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the last PG movie to do so.
"This is an American classic," says Bob Shea, artistic director of The Barnstormers. "It's a great play, and it gives us a chance to feature the senior members of our company."
Vinette Cotter plays Miss Daisy. Cotter is familiar to Barnstormers audiences from her portrayal of Ethel in On Golden Pond, as well as Lettice in Lettice and Lovage, Eleanor in The Lion in Winter, Mrs. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, and Marie in the New Hampshire premiere of Slow Dance With a Hot Pickup.
Making his Barnstormers debut as the chauffeur Hoke is Keith N. Johnson, who has appeared in productions at the Kennedy Center, Cleveland Playhouse, Virginia Stage and many other theatres. He has also appeared in motion pictures (The Crooked Necktie, Major League II, David Mamet's Homicide, Serial Mom, Good to Go and many others). You may also recognize him from several TV appearances on Homicide: Life on the Streets, The Wire, and the award-winning Atif's Journey.
Barnstormers veteran Dale Place plays Daisy's son Boolie, following his recent successful appearances in Blithe Spirit and Dial M for Murder, as well as many previous Barnstormers productions, regional and off Broadway shows, and films like The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Gone, Baby, Gone directed by Ben Affleck.
Director Stephen Nachamie has previously directed productions at The Barnstormers (Urinetown, The Sunshine Boys) as well as the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, New Repertory Theatre, and many more.
Performances of Driving Miss Daisy are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Barnstormers Theatre, America's oldest professional summer theatre, is located in Tamworth, NH. The theatre is air-conditioned and handicap accessible. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at www.barnstormerstheatre.org.