Joel Ferrell to Direct DTC's DRIVING MISS DAISY; Cast and Creative Team Set

Rehearsals are underway for Driving Miss Daisy, the second show of Dallas Theater Center's 2014-15 season. Joel Ferrell, director and choreographer of DTC's hot-ticket production of The Rocky Horror Show, directs Driving Miss Daisy, which marks DTC's return to the historic Kalita Humphreys Theater for the first time in one and a half years. Driving Miss Daisy begins previews on Thursday, October 16 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance and runs through Sunday, November 16. Tickets to Driving Miss Daisy are on sale now at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org and by phone at (214) 880-0202.

"'Write what you know' goes the very familiar saying. Alfred Uhry was fifty when Driving Miss Daisy opened at Playwrights Horizons in New York in 1987," said Ferrell. "It was an autobiographical play about Uhry's maternal grandmother and her driver. In the process of re-visiting a very personal story about the relationship of a Southern Jewish woman and an African-American man that spanned the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century, Uhry added to the incredible body of American plays that shine new light on our collective, sometimes troubled history. Like Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun or Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Uhry helps us come to terms with our past through a subtle 'family' drama."

Told through vignettes detailing the shift in Southern racial attitudes between 1948 and 1973, Driving Miss Daisy chronicles the decades-long relationship between a stubborn, Southern matriarch and her proud, African-American chauffeur who journey from suspicion and mistrust to respect and affection in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Texas actor Annalee Jefferies stars as Miss Daisy. Jefferies, a long time company members at the Alley Theatre in Houston, previously appeared on the DTC stage in The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead. Brierley Resident Acting Company member Hassan El-Amin (LES MISERABLES, Clybourne Park) joins Jefferies as Hoke, her dedicated chauffer. Rounding out the cast is James Crawford (Arsenic and Old Lace) as Booley, Miss Daisy's son.

"For many months I have looked forward to Daisy, not only because of the writing, but because it allowed us to bring together longtime collaborators of DTC," said Ferrell. "Annalee Jefferies wowed us in The Blonde, The Brunette and The Vengeful Redhead. Hassan El-Amin is a member of our remarkable Brierley Resident Acting Company, and SMU theater professor, James Crawford, has performed countless roles on our stages. Daisy allows us to bring these acting superstars together in a play that showcases great acting skill and subtle storytelling."

Peter Hicks who previously worked with DTC on Cotton Patch Gospel, returns as scenic designer and Claudia Stephens (Tigers Be Still, Dividing the Estate) returns for costume design. DTC's own Aaron Johansen (Oedipus el Rey, Red) is lighting designer.

Tickets for Driving Miss Daisy are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $18 and are available online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org or by phone at (214) 880-0202. All performances of Driving Miss Daisy will take place at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, located 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. (at the corner of Blackburn and Turtle Creek), where it runs Oct. 16 - Nov. 16. Driving Miss Daisy begins previews on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7:30pm with a Pay-What-You-Can performance. Tickets to this performance will be available for purchase online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org beginning Friday, Oct. 10. Press night will take place on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8:00pm. DTC's Come Early sponsored by Wells Fargo will take place one hour before every performance and will be led by James Crawford. Patrons will have the opportunity to learn about the play prior to viewing the production. DTC's Stay Late presented by Dr Pepper Snapple will take place after each performance and will be led by Hassan El-Amin. Patrons will have the opportunity to engage with artists, learn about the production and share insights about the play in a lively discussion. Details for Come Early and Stay Late are available online. Tickets for Driving Miss Daisy are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $18 and are available online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org or by phone at (214) 880-0202.

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