BWW Reviews: DAISY Drives to the Smithtown Center For The Performing Arts

Alfred Uhry's Pulizer Prize winning play Driving Miss Daisy, now running through September 29th at the Smithtown Center For Performing Arts, is one to remember. The heart of this story follows the relationship of Daisy Werthen and Hoke Colburn over the span of twenty five years (from 1948 - 1973). It examines race and religious prejudices, but ultimately looks at human relationships as a whole.

Wonderfully leading Kenneth J. Washington's cast is Phyllis March as Daisy, a Jewish widow who is very stubborn, independent, and not amused about getting older. Boolie, her over protective son portrayed by William B. Khan, sees that she should not be driving after she crashes arranging a full-time chauffeur. He hires Hoke who is an African-American widower who wins over Daisy with his patience and light demeanor.

Throughout the intermissionless show, Daisy and Hoke grow both individually and together. Daisy even rejects Hoke at first refusing to let him drive her anywhere. Over time, however, they become like a married couple forgetting their own prejudices that they didn't seem to know they had.

Most effective was the set designed by Mr. Washington. The top of the bi-level stage served as Daisy's sitting room on one side and Boolie's office on the other. There were then steps going down to the stage level that was used for Daisy's car - no car frame or anything, just the stairs. With these smaller stages, you could tell the enthusiastic audience appreciated the need to use their creative imaginations.

It kind of shocks me when I see productions like Driving Miss Daisy. To see how gratuitously awful society treated their fellow man back in the day is quite disconcerting. However, when you see Driving Miss Daisy, particularly with Smithtown Center's cast, you see how far we've come as a society.

Driving Miss Daisy is presented by the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts in Smithtown, Long Island. By Alfred Uhry, Direction and Set Design by Kenneth J. Washington, Lighting Design by Chris Creevy, Sound Design by Scott Lehrer with additional sound by Cara Brown, Costume Design by Ronald Green III, and Stage Management by Kadin Fawcett. For more information and to purchase tickets please call (631) 724-3700 or visit smithtownpac.org.