'Driving Miss Daisy' to open March 31 at Possum Hall

Possum Point Players' presentation of "Driving Miss Daisy" will be performed in Possum Hall Friday to Sunday, March 31, April 1 and 2, and April 7, 8 and 9; Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $17 for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, go to www.possumpointplayers.org or call 302-856-4560.

Matinee tickets already going fast, and theatergoers are advised to purchase soon to make sure they get their choice of dates for the Pulitzer Prize award-winning play. Nina Galerstein, Possum Point Players trustee, said, "I am one of the techies for 'Driving Miss Daisy,' and so I've been at recent rehearsals. I have to tell you that this is going to be a great show. Becky Craft's directing is wonderful for this character-driven show. She has brought out the best in her actors. Come see this show! I believe you will truly enjoy it!"

Set in the Deep South of the late 1940s, this humorous and touching play follows the development of a relationship between a sharp-tongued Jewish widow and the soft-spoken but proud African-American man hired as her chauffeur. Miss Daisy is less than pleased to give up her driving independence, and Hoke is quietly determined to withstand and overcome what he perceives as latent racism. Miss Daisy's son Boolie sets everything in motion when his mother's latest, and final, destruction of her car makes it obvious that her driving days are done.

Prior to the civil rights movement that gained momentum in following years, in 1948, Miss Daisy has only experienced African-Americans in roles of servers and unskilled workers. She regards Hoke with disdain; however, he is not at all intimidated or beholden to her position. The play is both humorous and touching as it follows Miss Daisy and Hoke as they grow to know that what they share is much greater than any differences they may have.

There are moments when the true darkness and pointless hurt of racial and ethnic prejudice comes home as Miss Daisy learns Jewish people can be victims of painful prejudice as well as African-Americans. In the 25 years the play spans, Miss Daisy goes from resentment, and perhaps prejudice, to goodnatured acceptance, and finally to sharing mutual love and dependence with Hoke.

Becky Craft of Slaughter Beach directs three seasoned actors in this production. Stephanie Allman of Lewes plays Miss Daisy Werthan. Claudius Bowden of Georgetown plays Hoke, and Steve Givens of Lewes plays Boolie Werthan.