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Arts & Entertainment

Take a Spin with Miss Daisy at OnStage Atlanta

Alfred Uhry's play explores racism and prejudice, themes still relevant.

If you’re looking for quality theatre close to home, you might want to venture into Suburban Plaza in search of OnStage Atlanta’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy.”  

Next to Big Lots down a flight of stairs, patrons will find a surprisingly roomy theatre featuring a main stage with 130 seats, a studio space for 75 and a large lobby with a café stage designed for cabaret performances.

Currently showing at the theatre is the 1988 Pulitzer Prize winning play written by native Atlantan Alfred Uhry, who graduated from Druid Hills High School in 1954.

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Set in 1948 in Atlanta, the two-act play explores racism and prejudice through the eyes of  a 72- year old Jewish widow, Mrs. (Miss) Daisy Werthan (Angie Short), and African-American chauffer Hoke Colburn (Nat Martin).

Directed by Barry West, the story unfolds just after Miss Daisy has demolished her car in an accident and her son Boolie (Mark Gallow–Stillions) has hired Hoke to be his mother’s driver.

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Although initially she is reluctant to let him drive because people might think she’s too old to drive, she gradually comes around to liking and respecting Hoke and the two develop a warm closeness.

“This is a story of friendship, an unlikely friendship,” said Cathe Hall Payne, an actress and Artistic Company member of OnStage Atlanta. “She [Miss Daisy] doesn’t want anyone in her business, but he [Hoke] really is much more to her than her driver. He becomes devoted to her.”

Uhry also wrote the wildly popular screen play for the 1989 film that won Best Picture. Starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, the film won in three other categories including Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Makeup.

OnStage Atlanta, founded in 1971 has been producing plays, musicals and children’s theatre in their current location for ten years. Today the company has a permanent professional ensemble.

Patrons may have to search for this local theatrical gem, but “once they find us, they always tell us they’ll be back,” said Payne.  

The play runs Aug 19-21 and Aug. 26-28. As an added treat on Sundays a $20 ticket buys “Dinner with Daisy.” Patrons, along with the cast will feast on fried chicken, creamed corn, black-eyed peas and pineapple coconut pie, all homemade and catered by SueCat Catering. OnStage Atlanta is at 2597 N. Decatur Road. Information, call 404-897-1802 or visit www.onstageatlanta.com.

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