For one night only Broadway veteran James Earl Jones will merge theatre and television with a televised performance of Driving Miss Daisy this summer.
PBS show Great Performances will air the two-time Tony award winning actor’s performance,as Hoke Coburn, alongside his five-time Tony Award winning costar Angela Lansbury who will play the title role of Daisy Werthan.
Written by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy chronicles the story of a widowed 72-year-old woman, living in Atlanta, deemed too old to drive. In order to remedy the situation, Daisy’s son hires Hoke Colburn, a Black man, to serve as her chauffeur.
Although Hoke and Daisy’s relationship begins with a rocky start, it soon turns into a long lasting and life changing friendship that transcends race and other societal issues during that time period.
David Esbjornson directed the show for the stage and it was recorded in Australia at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne. The show will also feature four-time Tony award winning actor Boyd Gaines who will reprise Broadway role as Boolie Werthan
The show ran off-Broadway in 1987 and returned with successful revival on Broadway in 2010.
The Wall Street Journal referred to its Broadway run as “A perfect night on Broadway. Do whatever you have to do to get a ticket!”
It was also made into an award winning film, with Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, where it won four Academy Awards including Best Picture.
Driving Miss Daisy airs on Great Performances Friday, July 17 at 9 p.m. on PBS. Check local listings here.
