West Virginia Public Theatre is proud to bring Driving Miss Daisy—a timeless story of unexpected friendship and enduring humanity—to the Gladys G. Davis Theatre this June. The production runs for seven performances, June 24–29, at the Canady Creative Arts Center on West Virginia University’s Evansdale Campus in Morgantown.
Set in the Deep South in 1948, Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play follows the evolving relationship between Daisy Werthan, a wealthy, sharp-tongued widow, and Hoke, the Black chauffeur her son hires after she crashes her car. What begins as an uneasy arrangement built on mutual suspicion gradually deepens into a profound, 25-year bond that transcends race, class, and generational divides.
“This is a story that feels more relevant than ever,” said Jerry McConigle, Artistic Director of WVPT. “We love getting to put our own spin on familiar stories. Whether these stories are favorites of yours or something brand new, it is a privilege to share them with such warm audiences each summer.”
Returning to the WVPT stage is actor Carol Halstead, known to local audiences for her standout performance as Ouiser in Steel Magnolias. “I enjoyed playing the feisty Ouiser so much last summer that I decided to come back and play the feisty Miss Daisy!” she said.
Driving Miss Daisy inspired the Academy Award-winning film of the same name starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, and remains a beloved work that invites audiences to reflect on friendship, dignity, and change.
Tickets are available now at wvuccam.universitytickets.com or by calling 304-293-TKTS. General public tickets are $30, senior citizens are $20, children are $15, and groups of 10 or more receive a half off discount of $15 per ticket. The theatre offers both ADA accessibility and American Sign Language interpreted performances. WVPT staff are available to assist with individual accessibility needs.
Since 1986, West Virginia Public Theatre has provided exceptional theatrical experiences to the community. Its mission is to inspire, entertain, and educate through high-quality productions.
This performance of Driving Miss Daisy is presented with support from Hope Gas, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Additional support is provided by an Organizational Arts Grant through a partnership between Your Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Morgantown, with funding from the City of Morgantown, the Monongalia County Commission, and the Douglas H. Tanner Memorial Fund for the Arts.
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About West Virginia Public Theatre
West Virginia Public Theatre (WVPT) seeks to enhance the cultural environment of the state and region by providing quality professional programming and educational outreach experiences for all. Working diligently to sustain its reputation as a premier professional theatre company in West Virginia, WVPT productions are mounted locally from start to finish. The state of West Virginia recognizes WVPT as the largest performing arts provider for children. For 20 years, the holiday show has reached over 3,000 children annually from 16 counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. For many of these children, WVPT provides their first, and in some cases, only, exposure to live professional theatre. WVPT continues to receive exciting responses from teachers and principals about the joy the holiday shows give their students. The school systems attend at a discounted rate and each year are provided study guides and other material for the teachers and students to promote literacy through the use of drama and theatre.
Contact: adam@wvpublictheatre.org
