Opening Weekend for DRIVING MISS DAISY at Totem Pole Playhouse

Totem Pole Playhouse, Pennsylvania's premiere summer theater, located in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, PA, is pleased to announce the opening night performance of the first play in the theatre's four-show subscription series, Alfred Uhry's, Driving Miss Daisy. The popular film version went on to win nine Academy Awards including Best Picture. The production will have three low-cost previews this Friday, May 26, at 8pm and Saturday, May 27, at 2pm and 8pm with all general admission seats only $20.00, followed by the Opening on Sunday, May 27, at 2pm. Patrons attending the Sunday matinee Opening are also invited to attend a wine and dessert reception with the cast following the performance as part of admission.

Four-time Emmy Award-winning actress, Michael Learned, best known for her role as 'Olivia Walton,' the matriarch of the series, The Waltons, stars as 'Daisy Werthan' an elderly Jewish matron. Set in mid-century Atlanta, Driving Miss Daisy tells the story of Werthan and her chauffeur, Hoke Colburn. At first, Daisy is none too happy about being forced to rely on a black man to get her from one place to the next. However, Hoke gradually wins her over, and during the 25-year span of the play, the two develop a deep-rooted affection. This Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece is a delicate depiction of racial tensions, the passage of time, and the experience of aging. It is a tale of two outsiders who come to a mutual respect grounded in each of their independence, strength, and stubborn integrity. Lance E. Nichols, who starred for four seasons in the critically-acclaimed HBO series, Treme, as well as appearing in over 150 films and television series, will play opposite Ms. Learned. Shippensburg University Professor of Theatre and Greencastle resident, Paris Peet, will play Boolie Werthan, Daisy's son. Michael Bloom, former Artistic Director of the Tony-Award winning Cleveland Play House and director of last season's Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, directs the production. Sponsored by F&M Trust.

The show will run May 26 through June 11 with matinee performances Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm and evening performances Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm.

Tickets for all regular performances are priced at $45.00 and can be purchased by calling the Totem Pole box office at (888) 805-7056 or on-line at www.TotemPolePlayhouse.org