Driving Miss Daisy - Staged Reading, Drama
Alfred Uhry
Producer: Kit Seidel
Directed by Nancy Hurd
STAGED READING
RATING: PG
RUNTIME: 90 minutes. + 15 Minute Intermission
ADMISSION: $10+ fees
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE: Purchase tickets for 3 Summer Staged Readings for $20 + Fees
Audience advisory: Driving Miss Daisy contains language and themes reflective of the American South from the 1940s to the 1970s, including references to racism, prejudice, and antisemitism. While the play ultimately centers on empathy, friendship, and understanding across cultural lines, it does not shy away from difficult truths. Viewer discretion is advised.
DRIVING MISS DAISY is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. www.dramatists.com
PERFORMANCES:
Friday, July 11 at 7:30
Saturday, July 12 at 7:30
Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Drama & Winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play.
CAST:
Daisy Werthan…………Sharon Jahneke
Hoke Colburn……………Mack Bates
Boolie Werthan…………Matthew Umstot
Narrator……………………Barb Lancelle
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Driving Miss Daisy is a timeless tale of unlikely friendship, dignity, and the passage of time. When 72-year-old Daisy Werthan, a sharp-witted Jewish widow in 1948 Atlanta, crashes her car, her son hires Hoke Colburn, a thoughtful and patient Black chauffeur, to drive her. What begins as a contentious employer-employee relationship slowly transforms into a profound and enduring bond. Set against the backdrop of a changing American South, this quietly powerful play explores issues of race, aging, and identity with warmth, humor, and grace. At its heart, Driving Miss Daisy is a poignant reminder that friendship can bloom in the most unexpected places.
WHAT IS A STAGED READING - A staged reading is live storytelling with scripts in hand—actors use voice and expression to bring the play to life, inviting the audience to imagine the world through the playwright’s words.
MEET THE CAST
Sharon Jahneke (Daisy Werthan) - Sharon Has enjoyed being involved in Lake Country Playhouse since 1987. From Director, Producer, to whatever is needed. You can always count on sharon to be there. She loves theater! She performed in Mame, Steel Magnolias (also directed it), Born Yesterday and many others at LCP. Currently works at Trenz Boutique in Oconomowoc and served on the LCP Board of Directors. Thank you to my family, friends and fellow actors for coming to the show. It's great to be surrounded by love.
Mack Bates (Hoke Colburn)
This staged reading of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork "Driving Miss Daisy" marks the fifth time Mack has treaded the boards at Lake Country Playhouse (LCP) in recent years. He's thrilled to be back. Initially, Mack appeared as Mike & Voice of Priest in the August 2022 staged reading of David Lindsay-Abaire's "Good People." Next, he was Dr. Frank Gibbs in the July 2023 multi-cultural production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town." He then played the Chancellor in the May 2024 production of Sean Grennan's "A Rock Sails By"; and later, Mike in the August 2024 staged reading of Tommy Lee Johnston's "Aura." He would like to thank his family & friends for all of their love and support. Additional thanks to his fellow cast & crew for this memorable experience. Special thanks to Sandra Renick, Nancy Hurd, and the whole team at LCP for always rolling out the welcome mat. Buckle up, and enjoy the ride!
Matthew Umstot (Boolie Werthan) - is thrilled to be returning to the LCP stage for his second staged reading after playing Hetchman in the Hatmaker's Wife last summer. Other favorite roles have been Don in Kinky Boots, Principal Welch in Akeelah and the Bee, and the father from Mars Lost, all at Waukesha Civic Theater. Outside of theater, he works at Milwaukee Public Schools as a high school teacher and proudly parents his three children. Enjoy the show!
Barb Lancelle (Narrator) is excited to be back on stage here at LCP. She has performed in various shows at LCP, Waukesha Civic and Theater on Main. Favorite roles are Aunt Em/Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Shelby Thorpe in The Spitfire Grill, Agnes Gooch in Mame, Cookie in Rumors and Gwendolyn Pigeon in The Odd Couple. Barb and her husband, Carl, live in the Town of Genesee. She is a member of WCT’s Broadway Singers, volunteers at Ten Chimneys, Zablocki VA Medical Hospital, Lake Country Caring, and Christmas Clearing Council.
Nancy Hurd (Director) - Nancy has been with the stage reading committee since the beginning so it's an honor to be directing this outstanding play that will touch the heart of the entire audience in different ways. To sum up how she feels about the play, Nancy points to one simple, heartfelt line from Daisy: “You’re my best friend.” Who’s yours? Thank you for attending the production and enjoy.
WHAT CRITICS SAY:
“The play is sweet without being mawkish, ameliorative, without being sanctimonious.” — The New York Times.
“…a perfectly poised and shaped miniature on the odd-couple theme.” —New York Post.
“Playwrights Horizons has a winner in this one…gives off a warm glow of humane affirmation.” —Variety.
“DRIVING MISS DAISY is a total delight.” —New York Daily News.