Step into a heartwarming story of an unlikely friendship as Studio Tenn brings Driving Miss Daisy to life on the Turner Theater stage at the Factory at Franklin beginning March 7, with performances running through March 24, 2024.
Written by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy follows the decades-long relationship between a strong-willed, well-to-do Jewish woman and her Black chauffeur during the Jim Crow era in the Deep South.
Set against a backdrop of changing world events between the late 1940s and early 1970s, what begins as a troubled and hostile pairing soon blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between them in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
Rona Carter stars as Daisy Werthan. Last seen in Nashville Repertory Theatre’s Indecent as Vera, Carter has performed with Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare, Story Garden and Rabbit Room Productions.
Bakari King stars as chauffeur Hoke Colburn. King has performed most recently in Nashville Repertory Theatre’s Big River, Street Theater’s Memphis and Derby Dinner’s Ain’t Misbehavin’. When he is not on stage, King spreads his love of theater as a teaching artist to students, from elementary to college.
Eric Pasto-Crosby stars as Boolie Werthan, the son of Daisy. Pasto-Crosby has also worked with Nashville Opera, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Stage One, Tennessee Shakespeare Festival and People’s Branch Theatre.
A special Southern offer
In honor of the play’s southern roots, Studio Tenn is partnering with Hattie B’s Hot Chicken — the family owned-and-operated fast casual eatery beloved for its Nashville hot chicken and hospitality — for a Driving Miss Daisy-inspired meal that will be available at the restaurant’s recently opened location at The Factory at Franklin throughout the show’s run. Hattie B’s has created a special $10 off promotion for Studio Tenn patrons, available at signup.thanx.com/hattieb/
Hattie B’s will also cater the opening night festivities before the Driving Miss Daisy premiere on March 7, along with creating a special “Tennessee Lemonade” cocktail as an ode to Miss Daisy. There are limited seats still available for opening night on the Studio Tenn website.
Individual tickets for Driving Miss Daisy are now on sale. Student, military and educator discounts are also available. Visit studiotenn.org or call 615-541-8200 for more details.
