"Driving Miss Daisy" Features Superb Performances
By KATHERINE PARKER - Staff Writer for The Greenwood Commonwealth
Forrest Hodge, the director of the Greenwood Little Theatre’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy,” said after Wednesday night’s preview that he hopes the play “tugs at people’s heartstrings.”
It does. The three-person cast brings a gravity to Davis Auditorium that is appropriate, if unexpected, in a play “about friendship,” as Hodge and the majority of the cast describe it.
Donna Bryant, who plays the female lead, Daisy Werthan, carries her character in her bones. The audience is able to see Daisy’s decline in how Bryant carries herself and in the confusion that progressively permeates her tone.
Viewers wouldn’t know that the play is only Marcus Cooper’s third run on stage. He performs alongside Bryant and Bobby Vandevender, both theater veterans. Originally, he began acting as a way to bond with one of his daughters, who was 16 at the time.
Cooper offers a humorous but serious portrayal of Hoke Colburn, a chauffeur hired to drive Daisy wherever she needs to go. Viewers understand changes in time and perspectives mainly through Cooper’s performance. His scenes introduce each of Daisy’s ideas and changes in perspective as well as the lack of change.
Vandevender’s performance as Boolie Werthan, Daisy’s son and Colburn's employer, propels the play forward. Boolie contrasts both his mother and Hoke in social position and beliefs. He fills a space adjacent to but outside of the two’s relationship.
This can be seen in scenes where all three are present on stage and Boolie’s character exits, leaving just Hoke and Miss Daisy in the spotlight.
The play also offers food for thought for people of all ages as characters grapple with complications of what it means to grow older.
Boolie’s character must care for his aging mother, making difficult decisions such as hiring Hoke and handling Daisy’s gradual mental decline.
Hoke must watch his friendship with Daisy age and decide how to maintain that friendship as the pair grows older.
Daisy must reckon with her declining abilities to be independent, and, eventually, with her complete dependence on Hoke.
Aside from the superb performances, this production offers updated cushioned seating in the front section of Davis Auditorium and additional lighting for the stage. The lighting adds to the gravity of the performance. Somber scenes are cast in blue tones, sometimes aided by the addition of scene appropriate music.
Those interested may experience this superb production Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets for the show cost $10 for students and $20 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the door at Davis Auditorium, 707 Sycamore Ave.; via phone at (662) 219-3822 or via email at ticketing@greenwoodlittletheatre.com.