Some stories endure not because they belong to a specific moment in time, but because they reflect truths that remain part of the human experience. Driving Miss Daisy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, is one of those stories. Coming to the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre at 1707 Owen Dr. from March 19 to April 4, the beloved production invites audiences to experience a quiet but powerful journey that spans decades, cultures and the slow transformation of relationships.
Set in Atlanta and unfolding over 25 years, Driving Miss Daisy follows the evolving relationship between Daisy Werthan, a strong-willed Jewish widow, and Hoke Coleburn, the Black chauffeur hired by her son Boolie after Daisy loses the ability to drive. What begins as a reluctant arrangement gradually grows into a meaningful friendship built through patience, humor and shared life experiences.
For director Laura Josepher, bringing the story to the stage now feels especially meaningful.
“I find this story so hopeful,” Josepher said. “It is a reminder that societal change is always possible.”
Although the play premiered in 1987, Josepher believes its themes remain strikingly relevant today.
“The themes of aging, loss of independence, and overcoming racial and social prejudices are timeless,” she said.
At its heart, Josepher describes the play as a gradual evolution.
“The journey moves from co-existence to acceptance to friendship,” she said.
Directing the production has also been especially rewarding because of the cast bringing these characters to life.
“All three of these actors are lovely humans as well as gifted actors,” Josepher said. “It is a joy to be in a room with them every day.”
Actor Marvin Bell takes on the role of Hoke Coleburn, a character whose history on stage and screen carries significant weight. Legendary performers such as Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones have portrayed the role, something Bell recognizes as part of the character’s legacy.
“As a Pulitzer Prize-winning play with a history that includes names like Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury, the roles are as iconic to me as Hamlet, Othello and Cleopatra,” Bell said.
For Bell, preparing to portray Hoke began with a deep dive into the script itself.
“The layered complexity of these characters lies within the text,” Bell said. “Good preparation comes with reading, re-reading and reading some more.”
Hoke’s personality plays a central role in the relationship that develops throughout the play.
“My character has a very ingratiating personality,” Bell said. “The son of Daisy takes to him right away. Miss Daisy is slower to trust but eventually comes to trust him.”
One particularly meaningful moment in the play occurs when Hoke admits he cannot read. Daisy’s instincts as a teacher resurface, creating a turning point in their relationship.
“That moment brings the two closer together,” Bell said.
Actor Greg King portrays Boolie Werthan, Daisy’s son, who finds himself balancing concern for his mother with respect for her independence.
“Boolie is a good man just trying to do right by his mother, even when she makes it difficult,” King said. “He’s practical, a little exasperated, but deeply devoted to Daisy.”
To prepare for the role, King focused on the many pressures Boolie carries.
“I looked at the responsibilities he faces, running a business, caring for his mother, being a Southern Jew, and navigating a world where he sometimes feels he doesn’t quite fit,” King said.
Those pressures shape the complicated relationship between Boolie and his mother.
“Love in families isn’t always poetic,” he said. “Sometimes it looks like arguing with your mother while quietly trying to take care of her.”
Capturing that balance between patience and frustration became one of the most challenging parts of the role.
“Anyone who’s had a strong-willed parent knows that love can sometimes look like a negotiation,” King said. “Coloring those moments of negotiation is challenging but extremely rewarding as an actor.”
As the story moves through the decades, audiences witness not only the personal growth of the characters but also the changing landscape of American society.
“Covering a twenty-five-year period allows many generations to see themselves in this play,” Bell said.
Josepher hopes audiences leave the theater with a renewed sense of empathy and possibility.
“I want them to feel that societal change is possible,” she said. “And it starts with how we treat every other human we encounter.”
For those who have never seen Driving Miss Daisy, Josepher believes the experience speaks for itself.
“This show takes the audience on a real journey,” she said. “The characters travel through twenty-five years and pivotal moments in U.S. history. But they should come to see the incredible performances in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play.”
Tickets to Driving Miss Daisy can be found at https://www.cfrt.org/driving-miss-daisy/. CFRT will be holding military and teacher appreciation nights.

(Photo: Kim Zimmer plays Daisy Werthan. Photos courtesy of Ashley Owen, Cape Fear Regional Theatre)