Reviewed by Viga Boland
I had two reviewers tickets to see “Driving Miss Daisy” at Theatre Aquarius, but when I asked both my husband and daughter if either would like to accompany me, they looked at me like I’d lost it. “Fine! I thought. “You’ve never seen the movie; neither have I. But after all, it did win four Academy Awards. It must be good.” So I went alone telling myself it was their loss.
Well, it was indeed, their loss! Theatre Aquarius was packed, making me even more curious about why a play about an aging black chauffeur driving around a feisty, even older Jewish woman would fill a theatre at a Saturday afternoon matinee.
My ears picked up at the sound of a car crashing and glass shattering off-stage, and suddenly there was Miss Daisy, played by Elizabeth Shepherd, striding furiously across the stage, confidently telling her son, Boolie, in no uncertain terms, that what happened had been the car’s fault, not hers. I cracked up. This was going to be good!
“Good” is inadequate for this production of “Driving Miss Daisy”. The actors are simply superb. Walter Borden, as Hoke the chauffeur, had me mesmerized each time he gently put Miss Daisy in her place. Because I’d never seen the movie nor read the book, I had no idea how this relationship would play itself out. But between Elizabeth’s beautifully executed portrayal of an educated but biased, aging woman who redefines and mellows her outlook on others, thanks to an illiterate black man rendered so superbly by Walter, I knew where this was going. When the 90-plus Miss Daisy finally told Hoke he was her best friend, I wasn’t surprised. But I had to stop myself from choking up.
When the one-act play ended nearly 2 hours later, I was in shock at how these excellent actors, including Peter Krantz as Boolie, had kept me so enthralled. How had such a simple stage setting of a settee, a table and a couple of chairs, a dialogue with limited action between only three characters, and a passage of time spanning over 20 years in their lives slipped by so fast? Unlike a movie production, music was minimal, scenery remained static, and the audience had to envision Miss Daisy and Hoke getting in and out of the car that didn’t exist on stage.
But as I filled in the blanks, I knew what had held me enraptured: I was looking at myself, as I am now at nearly 68, not far off Daisy’s 72 when the play opens and she’s told she’s too old to drive. How absurd! I’d be insulted too! But even more gripping was the look I got at myself as I may be in another 20 years. Would I, as Elizabeth captured so perfectly, be bent and shuffling along with arthritic hips, my gray hair askew, and moving in and out of dementia? Would I be in a retirement home? And who would come to visit me? Would I have a Hoke to doze off beside me while we’re talking?
As the play ended, I was on my feet applauding wildly, as were most of the audience, for the three actors who had so brilliantly portrayed a 20-year span of time, not on film but live on stage. I applauded how they had reminded me of what really matters in life: not our acquisitions, not our distinctions nor achievements, not our race nor religion, but having at least one good friend to
feed us apple pie, mentally and physically.
My life was enriched this weekend by seeing “Driving Miss Daisy”. I’m sure the film was awesome, but I’m also sure that Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman would have joined me in that standing ovation for Elizabeth Shepherd, Walter Borden and Peter Krantz. Bravo Theatre Aquarius!
Check dates and times for upcoming performances and buy tickets for the show here.
(Viga Boland is a local author, poet, and blogger. Find out more about her by visiting her site.)
Thanks for publishing my review Cyndi. Hope Theatre Aquarius gets to read it. Look forward to doing more for them in future. Appreciate the link to my website too :))