Most of us

remember "Driving Miss Daisy" as the film that

won four Academy Awards in 1989, but it was an

award-winning play by Atlantan Alfred Uhry first. That

play will start this Friday night at Newnan Community

Theatre.

The play,

set in Atlanta, focuses on a friendship between a feisty

Jewish widower and her dignified black chauffeur over 25

years. "Driving Miss Daisy" is a fairly

atypical play as there are only three characters: Miss

Daisy; her son, Boolie; and Hoke, the driver. It is a

stirring piece that covers all of the social changes that

occur between the two races during that period as well as

the changes between the two individuals.

Daisy

Werthan will be played by Peachtree City resident Shirley

Bohan. Bohan was very active in theater in high school

and college. She then moved to Florida and became one of

the only female barbers in the state. Bohan has recently

returned to the stage as Grandma in the Henry Players

Production of "Lost in Yonkers."

The role of

Hoke will be played by Carrollton's Jerome Stanley.

Stanley has played Hoke before at the Encore Theatre in

Carrollton. He has a connection to the role as his

grandfather was a "real-life Hoke.' Stanley's

grandfather never got to see him perform the role, so

this performance will be dedicated to his memory.

The role of

Boolie, the well-meaning son, will be played by Buddy

Eppinger of Rex. Eppinger has not been on stage since his

role in his sixth grade production of "A Christmas

Carol", but felt a connection to the role and

decided to audition. The character of Boolie and Eppinger

share many similarities; they both grew up in Atlanta

during the same period of time. Eppinger was born in East

Point, grew up in Forest Park and currently resides in

Rex.

The show,

which will be directed by Newnan Community Theatre

veteran Caroline Carr, will be presented at their theater

July 7-9 and July 14-15. The show will be performed at 8

p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday,

July 9. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors

and students. Call 770-683-NCTC for more information or

to order tickets. You can also visit them on the web at www.newnantheatre.com

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