ABINGDON, Va. -- One of America's most fun, touching and irresistible stories will be an addition to Barter Theatre's fall season. Audiences will not want to miss Driving Miss Daisy on the historic Barter Theatre stage beginning Oct. 5.
This sweet Southern story will replace the previously scheduled Candide, and follow the same schedule as published for Candide.
Driving Miss Daisy is a moving story of friendship told with humor, warmth, and beauty as it gently raises questions about serious issues? -- aging, bigotry, and civil rights.
This family comedy is set in Atlanta, Ga. from 1948-1973. Boolie hires Hoke, a chauffer, against his aging mother's wishes, after she destroys a Packard, a two-car garage and a tool shed. From that point, follow the interesting relationship that develops between the black man and the Werthan family.
Written by Alfred Uhry in 1987, Driving Miss Daisy won a Pulitzer Prize and went on to be an Academy Award-winning film in 1989 starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. Barter's new addition to their season will star beloved actress Mary Lucy Bivins, adored from such shows as The Sugar Bean Sisters, Lying in State and My River, My Valley. Michael Poisson, from Married Alive! and Green Gables will play her son Boolie, and Jasper McGruder from To Kill a Mockingbird, South Pacific and WMKS: Christmas 1942 will star as
Hoke.
Producing artistic director Richard Rose decided to make this change in the season because he believes this show is a great fit for Barter's audiences. "Early sales for Candide were not what we had hoped, and Driving Miss Daisy is an appealing combination of comedy and drama that we know our audiences will enjoy," Rose said.
The State Theatre of Virginia, Barter Theatre is celebrating its 74th season of producing professional non-profit theatre in the Appalachian Region. Known for outstanding musicals, comedies, dramas, new and Appalachian works and award-winning educational programming, Barter Theatre, Barter Stage II and The Barter Players present programs several times a week, and patrons can see up to four shows in two days in downtown Abingdon.
For more, call 276-628-3991 or visit bartertheatre.com
