“DRIVING MISS DAISY” OFFERS HUMOR AND HOPE

The Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award-Winning Comedy-Drama Opens at the Kelsey Theatre February 1, 2008

West Windsor, NJ (December 19, 2007) – Driving Miss Daisy, one of modern American Theatre’s most touching and irresistible stories, will be presented by Maurer Productions OnStage at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre Feb. 1-10, 2008. Directed by Dan Maurer of Robbinsville, this Pulitzer-Prize and Academy Award-winning comedy-drama is sure to warm your heart with its message of friendship, understanding and hope. An open reception, with an opportunity to meet the cast and crew, will be held on opening night.

A treat for all audiences ages 10 to 110, Driving Miss Daisy is a moving story of friendship told with humor, warmth and beauty. This family comedy is set in Atlanta, Ga. from 1948 to 1973. Daisy Werthan, an independent, aging Jewish widow – disagreeable, and set in her ways – reluctantly surrenders the driver’s seat to Hoke Coleburn, a proud, soft-spoken black man. At first, Daisy’s stubbornness and cultural prejudices cause much friction, but over the course of 25 years, Hoke becomes not only her chauffeur, but against all odds, her best friend. The Washington Post once called this play “[a story] marked with unaffected grace and generosity of spirit, medium-sized miracles and changed minds.”

Written by Alfred Uhry in 1987 as a tribute to his Atlanta-based family, the play went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Outer Critics Circle Award. A 1989 movie version starring Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Tandy. OnStage’s production of Driving Miss Daisy will feature top talent from around the area. The cast includes Eve Connolly of Lawrenceville as Daisy Werthan, Allwyn Baskin of Lambertville as Hoke Coleburn, and Lonnie McCullough of Yardley as Boolie Werthan.

The production crew for Driving Miss Daisy includes a veteran team that has contributed to many shows mounted by Maurer Productions OnStage including The Emperor’s New Clothes, Winnie the Pooh, It’s a Wonderful Life, Lucky Stiff, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Foreigner. Dan Maurer of Robbinsville will produce, direct and do sound design; John Maurer of Ewing will executive produce and handle set design; Diana Gilman Maurer of Ewing will serve as producer, stage manager and costume designer; Alycia Bauch-Cantor of Ewing is designing props and set dressing; Jeff Cantor of Ewing is serving as Master Builder, heading up set construction; Erin Penney of Hamilton is doing make-up and wigs; and two-time NJACT Perry Award nominee Kitty Getlik is doing lighting design.

Maurer Productions OnStage will present Driving Miss Daisy February 1-10, 2008 at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. The theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. Free parking is available next to the theatre. To order tickets, go online at www.kelseyatmccc.org, call 609-570-3333, or stop by the Kelsey Theatre Box Office. Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for senior citizens, students and children. The Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request.

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