There is a definite buzz of excitement among The Legacy Theatre’s patrons as Alfred Uhry’s “Driving Miss Daisy” rolls onto the stage this fall.
“Whenever I announce the lineup for our upcoming fifth season, the one show audiences respond to the most is ‘Daisy,’,” said Legacy’s Executive Producer, Bethany Smith. “It’s personally my favorite play of all time, and I know audiences will want to add seeing this play to their list of things to do this fall.”
The popularity of the play in this region undoubtedly comes from the fact that it is set almost entirely in Atlanta. Residents of South Metro Atlanta have an even greater connection to the piece, as scenes from The Academy Award-winning movie starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman were actually filmed in Senoia.
However, it is not just the play’s familiar locales that audiences have grown to love, it is the heart-warming and endearing story of the genteel, yet obstinate Miss Daisy and her African-American chauffeur, Hoke, that has audiences filling the seats each night.
In the Legacy production, Pat Bell from Atlanta portrays Daisy Werthan. Pat has performed at numerous theaters in the Atlanta area including the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, The Alliance Theatre, Georgia Ensemble and Stage Door Players. Mical Whitaker, a retired theatre professor from GSU, portrays Hoke Coleburn. Lamar Payne from Newnan rounds out the stellar cast of three. Patrons of the Legacy will remember Lamar as the Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe in Smoke on the Mountain (a role he will reprise in their upcoming Sanders Family Christmas).
The production is directed by Mark Smith. This is Smith’s second time directing the show, and he assures audiences that even if they’ve seen the film version of “Driving Miss Daisy,” or even a previous production, they will not want to miss ‘Daisy’ as it is performed by this incredible cast.
“Driving Miss Daisy” runs weekends from Oct. 8-31. Show times are Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Reserve tickets by calling 404-895-1473 or at www.thelegacytheatre.org.
