Driving Miss Daisy

The theatrical show Driving Miss Daisy is on stage at the Quirino Theater directed by Guglielmo Ferro and adapted by Mario Scaletta. The famous comedy, written by Alfred Uhry, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1988 and the following year the film adaptation was released with Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy which won four Oscars (Best Film, Leading Actress, Screenplay original and makeup) and many other awards.

The protagonist Daisy, played by Milena Vukotic, is an elderly and rich Jewish lady - a retired teacher - who however loves to appear poor; Daisy is a figure of a strong woman with a grumpy character, sometimes capricious, stingy, but also ironic. She is very vital and independent despite her age and is completely against the decision made by her Boolie son - played by Maximilian Nisi - to hire a driver to accompany her. In fact, the old lady doesn't want anyone at home and above all she doesn't want to be seen around accompanied by a chauffeur like rich women. Luckily Hoke - played by Salvatore Marino - an illiterate black driver - is kind, patient and thus manages to tolerate Daisy's difficult character also thanks to his discretion. Until, day after day, once the initial distrust has been overcome, theirs becomes a relationship made of sharp irony hiding a deep affection. Driving Miss Daisy is just this: the story of a true friendship, which was born despite the prejudices of the time and the difference between social classes, written with the ironic tones of comedy. Thanks to the masterful interpretation of the actors, the piece at the Quirino turns out to be full of irony, grace and lightness.

Photo credits: courtesy of the Quirino Theater official site