Overview
Synopsis
Pulitzer Prize-winning, Driving Miss Daisy, is set in Atlanta and spans twenty-five years, from 1948 to 1973. When Daisy Wertham, a stubborn, elderly Southern widow, crashes her new car into the neighbor’s garage, her son, Boolie, forces her to take on a chauffeur. He employs Hoke Coleburn, much to her chagrin. At first, Daisy refuses to rely on a black man to get her from one place to the next and Hoke spends two weeks sitting in the kitchen doing nothing. Gradually, however, Daisy’s prejudices are broken down and, against all odds, he becomes her best friend. Daisy teaches Hoke to read and write, while Hoke encourages Daisy to let go of her insecurities. Alfred Uhro’s delicate drama explores the experience of aging while the world around you moves forwards at great pace.
Show Information
- Book
- Alfred Uhry
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1987
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- Atlanta, 1948-1973
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Josef Weinberger Ltd
- Ideal For
- small cast, community theatre, professional theatre, elderly cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult Characters
Context
Driving Miss Daisy was inspired by Alfred Uhry's grandmother, Lena Fox, her chauffeur, Will Coleman, and his father. It was first presented Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizon in New York City in April 1987. The original cast featured Dana Ivey, Morgan Freeman, and Ray Gill. Dana Ivey won the Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance. The play then transferred to the John Houseman Theatre, closing in 1990 after 1,195 performances. Driving Miss Daisy premiered on the West End in 1988
to read the context for Driving Miss Daisy and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
The play opens in 1948. Daisy Werthan, 72 year old, southern Jewish widow, has crashed her three week old Packard into the neighbor's garage while backing it down the drive. Her son, Boolie, realizes she is no longer capable of driving safely and insists that she hires a chauffeur, as many of her friends have already done. Daisy protests when Boolie insists on interviewing an African American for the job, but he ignores her prejudices.
Over at his office, Boolie interviews Hoke Coleburn. Hoke
to read the plot for Driving Miss Daisy and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher