Zoneboy
03-12-2009, 08:07 PM
Link + Video (http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=9910469)
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - In Red Barn Studio's production of Driving Miss Daisy, set in 1940s Georgia, we meet an unlikely pair, an elderly southern Jewish lady, Miss Daisy, and her African-American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn.
After totalling her car, Miss Daisy is no longer allowed behind the wheel. Hoke steps in as her driver.
"She's not comfortable being dependent on anyone," said actress Linda Lavin.
Miss Daisy doesn't make it easy on Hoke.
"He has to endure the presence of this woman for his livelihood," said actor Maxwell Paige.
But over a span of 25 years, Miss Daisy and Hoke come to understand and respect each other, and even love each other.
"She doesn't open up very easily, and you see the development of a relationship between two people who seemingly have nothing in common," said Lavin.
A film version of Driving Miss Daisy, starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Both versions tell a beautiful story that resonates with any generation, with lessons of tolerance and acceptance.
"It's probably going to mean different things to different people, but people will take something away from this, something incredibly meaningful and powerful," said actor Jason Hatfield.
"Each person will have their own opinion about what was the most important and what they bring away," added Paige.
But for most, the main idea is this:
"As different as we think we are from each other, depending on skin color or background or history or political definition, we are all connected," said Lavin.
And that's a lesson that really drives home.
WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - In Red Barn Studio's production of Driving Miss Daisy, set in 1940s Georgia, we meet an unlikely pair, an elderly southern Jewish lady, Miss Daisy, and her African-American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn.
After totalling her car, Miss Daisy is no longer allowed behind the wheel. Hoke steps in as her driver.
"She's not comfortable being dependent on anyone," said actress Linda Lavin.
Miss Daisy doesn't make it easy on Hoke.
"He has to endure the presence of this woman for his livelihood," said actor Maxwell Paige.
But over a span of 25 years, Miss Daisy and Hoke come to understand and respect each other, and even love each other.
"She doesn't open up very easily, and you see the development of a relationship between two people who seemingly have nothing in common," said Lavin.
A film version of Driving Miss Daisy, starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Both versions tell a beautiful story that resonates with any generation, with lessons of tolerance and acceptance.
"It's probably going to mean different things to different people, but people will take something away from this, something incredibly meaningful and powerful," said actor Jason Hatfield.
"Each person will have their own opinion about what was the most important and what they bring away," added Paige.
But for most, the main idea is this:
"As different as we think we are from each other, depending on skin color or background or history or political definition, we are all connected," said Lavin.
And that's a lesson that really drives home.