“Driving Miss Daisy” to Feature Old Pro’s Cast of Distinction.
For the third time in as many years, I had the good fortune to be present at rehearsal of the third show at Clubhouse 3 starring Miss Barbara Rush, watching her exceptional performance in the making, this time as the title character in Alfred Uhry’s “Driving Miss Daisy.” This early rehearsal was enchanting, so one can only imagine the play’s impact and power at performance.
Presented by The Old Pros, it performs on Friday, February 18, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 19, at 2 and 7 p.m. Also for the third time, the beneficiary of the proceeds from all performances will be the Foundation of Laguna Woods Village, to support its good work in our community.
Miss Daisy (Barbara Rush) looks askance at her son Boolie (John Edmiston) as he tries to explain to her why, after her last accident, she must no longer drive herself and that he's going to hire a chauffeur to drive her instead.
“Driving Miss Daisy” is first and foremost a play about the human spirit, about relationships, about people we will recognize and take to our hearts. That these people face familiar challenges of aging, makes it all the more compelling. To play Daisy Werthan, an elderly Southern Jewish widow of indomitable spirit, Director Sheila Bialka’s first and only choice was Barbara Rush. The depth and complexity of the role appealed to Barbara who loves a challenge — and challenge it is, as Daisy ages from 72 to 94 (without makeup changes) during the quarter century span of the play from 1948 to 1973.
In 1937, at age 10, Barbara Rush made her first stage appearance at the Loberto Theatre in her hometown of Santa Barbara, CA. In 1950, she made her feature film debut in “The Goldbergs” and never looked back. She went on to play over 110 featured roles in film, TV and theatre. Her extensive filmography includes: “Bigger Than Life,” “The Young Philadelphians,” “The Bramble Bush,” “Strangers When We Meet.”
Willie Carpenter
A bicoastal search then ensued for a black actor who could embody the pride, dignity, humor and feistiness needed for the crucial role of Daisy’s chauffer, Hoke Coleburn. The fortunate result was stage/screen/TV actor Willie C. Carpenter. Willie’s wide-ranging resume includes television: “Harry’s Law,” “House,” “NCIS,” “Boston Legal”; film: “The Best Man,” “Men in Black,” “The Insider”; stage: Old Globe in San Diego, Broadway production of “Musical Comedy Murders-1940,” the Public Theatre, LA’s Mark Taper Too.
The Old Pros’ own John Edmiston is the third member of the cast, portraying Daisy’s son Boolie, who loves and respects his mother but tries unsuccessfully to push her into his technologically advanced way of life.
Reserved tickets are $12 for balcony and $15 for orchestra and are on sale at the Clubhouse 3 box office.
A Valentine from The Old Pros
For the weekend of February’s Valentine’s Day, a unique Valentine treat is in preparation for Laguna Woods Village from The Old Pros, with love. Our resident star actress, Ms. Barbara Rush, will once again grace the Clubhouse 3 main stage in a remarkable dramatic reading of the Tony-award-winning play, ‘Driving Miss Daisy,’ created especially for our Village audiences, with the entire proceeds to benefit our own Foundation of Laguna Woods Village.
Having just celebrated her 85th birthday, Barbara, portraying Miss Daisy, has lost none of her youthful vim and vigor. Age and experience have only served to enhance her renowned ability to draw, respectively, tears or laughter from her always captivated audiences. If you were fortunate enough to be part of Clubhouse 3’s sold-out audience for Barbara Rush’s one woman show, ‘A Woman of Independent Means;’ if you were then lucky enough to be here for her riveting portrayal in ‘Sorry, Wrong Number;’ you have only experienced the overture of what this sublime actress can create. The entire concert awaits you in ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ as Miss Daisy ages from 72 to 94 and experiences the changing emotions brought about by the complex relationship of a white Jewish woman with her black driver in Atlanta.
Along for the ‘drive’ with her, playing Miss Daisy’s driver, is stage/screen/television actor Willie C. Carpenter. Counted among the very fortunate bi-coastal ‘working actors,’ Willie’s face will be familiar to audiences, even though his name might not be immediately recognized, as guest star in such TV series as ‘NCIS,’ ‘House,’ and ‘General Hospital,’ as well as numerous films and stage plays.
Rounding out the cast of three is John Edmiston as Miss Daisy’s son. Among his many credits, this man of many accents and faces played the English Producer in last November’s Old Pros successful ’45 Seconds from Broadway.’
Sheila Bialka, whose brilliant idea gave birth to this production, is the play’s proverbial ‘needs-no-introduction’ director with a portfolio of acting and directing here second to none. It was Sheila who shepherded ’45 Seconds from Broadway’ to a laugh-filled, thoroughly enjoyable success for The Old Pros.
The actors and director were all of a mind as to the difference between the film and the play. The film shows every scene and every character only alluded to in the play, thereby doing everything for you and leaving little to the imagination. The play has only the three main characters and minimal scenery, giving audiences an in-depth look into the characters and an exceptional opportunity to let their imaginations flow. “Seeing the play on Broadway, I was caught up and wonderfully captivated by these characters and their relationships,” said Willie. “It was the most stunning evening in the theatre I can remember.”
‘Driving Miss Daisy’ received a Pulitzer Prize in 1988, and in 1989 it was adapted into a film that received nine Academy Award nominations and won Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Makeup, and Best Screenplay. It is a simple story, yet complex in its characters’ relationships with each other. It stirs emotions even as it makes you laugh. Given the participants listed above, it is a production you won’t want to miss.
‘Driving Miss Daisy’ performs on Friday evening, February 17th, and Saturday matinee and evening, February 18th. Reserved seat tickets are on sale at the Clubhouse 3 box office. All proceeds will go to The Foundation for Laguna Woods Village.
The many faces of Barbara Rush:
From Left: 2009— ‘A Woman of Independent Means’; 2011—‘Sorry, Wrong Number’; 2012— ‘Driving Miss Daisy’; Present—at home in Laguna Woods Village
