Starting July 17, witness a touching story of acceptance from Idaho Repertory Theatre, the professional summer theatre in residence at the University of Idaho.
The play, written by Alfred Uhry, is set in the Deep South in 1948. After Daisy Werthan, a rich, sharp-tongued 72-year-old Jewish widow, crashes another car, her son hires Hoke, a thoughtful Black man, to be her chauffeur. Watch the good-natured Hoke slowly but steadily break down the old woman’s defenses in a set of scenes spanning 25 years.
The show will begin with a preview night on Thursday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave., Moscow. Further performances on Friday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m.; Friday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m.
Jean Bruce Scott, known for television roles including “Airwolf,” “Magnum, P.I.” and “Days of Our Lives,” plays the titular Werthan.
“I’m really looking forward to diving into the character of Miss Daisy,” Scott said in the press release. “All the things the character lived through are astounding. It is so vitally important to not forget that history today. It addresses racism, civil rights and equality, and it is so pertinent to today’s conversations.”
Baron Kelly, director of the 2024 season production of “Master Harold … and the Boys,” takes the role of Hoke. Craig A. Miller, who previously starred in IRT’s “Every Beautiful Thing” and “Constellations,” will play the role of Boolie.
“I have long wished to produce this beautiful play with such deftly drawn characters, but never had the right actors,” Rob Caisley, “Driving Miss Daisy” producer and UI Department of Theatre Arts Chair, said in a press release. “We’ve put together a real dream team for this production.”
Scott returns to acting after years of retirement in “Driving Miss Daisy.” The play also serves as Scott’s first opportunity to perform in a black box theater. “I’ll have to get used to the audience being three feet away from me,” she said in the press release. “I just can’t wait for that moment and surge of electricity.”
Tickets are available for purchase online at www.uitickets.com/. Admission is free for UI students and $6-$26 for the public.
Dakota Steffen can be reached at [email protected].