DRIVING MISS DAISYA play by American playwright, Alfred Uhry

Directed by Stage Manager Light Designer Melissa Williams Anna Derrington Stella London

Graphic Design Program & Video Design Dining Room Manager Danny Proctor Kevin F. Raymond Christy Beuerlein

Set Design Build & Dress Sound Designer Ticketing Support Patrick Murphy Allan Stokes Angela Bryan, Kelly

Maggie Sanger Lavely, Lisa Maddox, Volunteers

Produced By Costumer PropertiesDonelson Station Fifty Forward Cary Street Daisy Staff Members

Artistic Director Photographer Kitchen Manager Kevin F. Raymond Jenny Petit Steiner Kevin Meilkhe

Special thanks to: Angela Bryan, Kelly Lavely, Lisa Maddox, volunteers and servers, Allan and Kim Stokes, SCA Board of Directors

Driving Miss Daisy is produced in cooperation with Dramatist Play Service

DRIVING MISS DAISYOur Cast of Characters

Miss Daisy Wurthan ………………………………………… Linda Speir

Boolie Wurthan …………………………………….… Jonathan Wilburn

Hoke Colburn ………………..……………………….… Elliott Robinson

THE STORY:The place is the Deep South, the time 1948, just prior to the civil rights movement. Having recently demolished another car, Daisy Werthan, a rich, sharp-tongued Jewish widow of seventy-two, is informed by her son, Boolie, that henceforth she must rely on the services of a chauffeur. The person he hires for the job is a thoughtful, unemployed black man, Hoke, whom Miss Daisy immediately regards with disdain and who, in turn, is not impressed with his employer's patronizing tone and, he believes, her latent prejudice. But, in a series of absorbing scenes spanning twenty-five years, the two, despite their mutual differences, grow ever closer to, and more dependent on, each other, until, eventually, they become almost a couple.

Slowly and steadily the dignified, good-natured Hoke breaks down the stern defenses of the ornery old lady, as she teaches him to read and write and, in a gesture of good will and shared concern, invites him to join her at a banquet in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

As the play ends, Hoke has a final visit with Miss Daisy, now ninety-seven and confined to a nursing home, and while it is evident that a vestige of her fierce independence and sense of position still remain, it is also movingly clear that they have both come to realize they have more in common than they ever believed possible—and that times and circumstances would ever allow them to publicly admit.

Linda Speir as Daisy Wurthan

Linda is so excited to be playing Miss Daisy.  It is one of her dream roles.  She was last seen in August 2018 on the Keeton stage as Clairee in Steel Magnolias and in 2017 as Mama Wheelis in Daddy's Dyin, Who's Got the Will.  So happy to be back in the Keeton Theatre!

Elliott Robinson as Hoke Colburn

Elliott is delighted to return to The Keeton stage for the twelfth time (whoa!), including three shows with Circle Players (Jekyll & Hyde the Musical; A Raisin in the Sun; Willy Wonka the Musical). My Keeton productions are Smokey Joe’s Café (Frederick); A Christmas Carol, the Musical (Marley’s Ghost); GODSPELL (Judas); A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol (Clifton Feddington); My Fair Lady (Alfred P. Doolittle); Big River (Jim), ANNIE (Daddy Warbucks), and one cabaret (Fringe & Fedoras, 2016). Special thanks to my family for continued love and support, to YOU for coming to enjoy the show; and special dedication to Mr. Larry Keeton. Rest in Peace, Kind Sir!

DRIVING MISS DAISYOur Company

Jonathan Wilburn as Boolie Wurthan

Jonathan is happy to return to The Keeton stage for this production. Recent TLKT credits include Big River, West Side Story, and last year's A Christmas Carol: the Musical, as Bob Cratchit. He thanks this wonderful cast and crew for this fun experience, and his family for their support.

Melissa Williams has been involved in community and professional theater in the Nashville area for the last 31 years and is thrilled to finally get an opportunity to work with The Larry Keeton Theater. To be able to direct a sweet and short story of friendship and life changes against a historical backdrop as dramatic as the civil rights, and with such a seasoned and talented cast has been a highlight of that long involvement in Middle Tennessee.

Anna Derrington is working with The Keeton for the first time and is having a terrific experience. Previous stage managing experience includes The Addam’s Family, Absurd Person Singular, The Trip to Bountiful, Better Late, The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Anna also enjoys acting, singing, and dancing and can be seen on stage when not behind the scenes. Anna works full time at The Next Door, a nonprofit treatment facility for women seeking freedom from addiction.

Cary Streethas been a part of The Larry Keeton theater as a volunteer, board member, performer, choreographer, and most recently a costumer.

Danny Proctoran actor and graphic designer for over 50+ years, has been in many shows at TLKT and designs our posters and ads.

Kevin F. Raymondis an Opryland performance veteran and owner of his own production company. Kevin works full-time at the Cathedral of the Incarnation downtown.

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DRIVING MISS DAISY Our Crew

Keith Hardyis enjoying running the lights here at The Larry Keeton Theatre! Keith is a Nashvillle theatre veteran.

SET DESIGN PROPS

Patrick MurphyMaggie Sangerare happy to have built their first set here for us at The Larry Keeton Theatre!

Multiple PeopleMelissa WilliamsLinda SpeirPatrick Murphy

Stella Londonwas first seen on stage at TLKT in 2008 and has been in over 30 shows. She has designed the lighting for more than 10 shows. She is currently studying music business management at MTSU.

Allan Stokesis co-owner of Stokes Productions, shoots concerts, events, and live broadcasts for ESPN, Fox and Comcast. Allan has over 40 years experience touring the world with many artists.

A big thanks to our generous supporters and sponsors for

DRIVING MISS DAISY