Playwright Alfred Uhry did not make it easy for a theater and its director to stage the charming Driving Miss Daisy. The play script is much more a film script. There appear to be over 20 scenes in the two acts; I lost count. Locations, locations, locations: Miss Daisy's sitting room, Boolie's office, the various cars, the nursing home, etc. The costumer has to create believable dress from 1948 to 1973. Finally, there is twenty-five years of adult aging.
It's a really tough assignment for a small theater. However, Director John H. Cochran and Point Loma Actors Workshop are up to the task. Make-up artist Patty Sleeter, along with Costumer Elizabeth Fleck and Dresser Mary Fee, make the transitions and aging run relatively smoothly.
Driving Miss Daisy is a character piece. It takes two accomplished actors to carry much of the show. Both leads, Betsy Bruce Osmun and John H. Cochran, have a lifetime of theater, film, and television to draw on. While their bios are impressive, their acting is completely, utterly convincing. It also takes a well-trained actor to hold his own in the supporting role of Boolie, Miss Daisy's son. Ken Oberlander, a local actor with training in England, is up to the task.
Scenic designer Melissa Rick Cochran opts for a series of abstractly painted panels as background for the many locations. These allow for several entrances, which help delineate a given location and add variety.
Gunnar Ramstrum and David Billot produced a sound track of music covering the 25 year period effectively. Their opening track absolutely sets the tone for the first scene.
Osmun, Cochran, and Oberlander age convincingly. The leads, who start out late middle-aged, are awesome and don't miss a trick. Their hair grays, their speech patterns alter, their carriage becomes pronouncedly stooped, the clothing becomes less cared for...they age before our eyes.
Point Loma Actors Workshop has produced an excellent show in spite of the playwright's many obstacles. I hope you have to opportunity to see this fine production. Just sit back and let these three fine actors lead you through a wonderful and loving story.
