Livingston Parish's own community theatre troupe, Spotlight Theatre Players, opened their most recent production of Alfred Uhry's 1987 play Driving Miss Daisy on April 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Spotlight Theatre Players was founded in 2011 and, under the direction of Dinah Toups, has put on several plays to promote classical arts in Louisiana.
This performance of Driving Miss Daisy, slightly modified to allow for a 15-minute intermission, consists of two acts, each around 45 minutes long, following the "powerful and heartwarming story" of the evolving friendship between Miss Daisy and her driver, Hoke, over the course of 25 years.
Toups noted that she "chose Driving Miss Daisy because it's such a beautifully simple story. It's not about big dramatic moments. It's about people, and how relationships grow over time."
"I also think audiences recognize themselves in it," Toups continued. "We've all had relationships that changed us over time, often without us even realizing it. That's what makes this story so special."
Spotlight Theatre brought in some of the best actors Louisiana has to offer for this rendition of Driving Miss Daisy.
Tara Dedon Nixon, who played Miss Daisy, has been featured in several plays around Louisiana, including a role in Clue at the Sullivan Theatre and a performance in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Artists Civic Theatre & Studio.
Reggie Francis, who played Hoke, is a Louisiana-born actor who won the Chester Award for Best Spotlight Performance in a Drama for his portrayal of Bobo in A Raisin in the Sun. Francis is also involved in several improv groups, including Starter Fluid, Fish Taco, and DEI.
Lee Rider, who played Boolie, is best known for his past roles as Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest and the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. When not performing with Spotlight Theatre, Rider serves as a Worship Pastor at Zoar Baptist Church in Central.
Judge Robert "Bob" Morrison, who was recently featured for having the first-floor Jury Holding Room in the Livingston Parish Courthouse named after him, was one of the sponsors for the play and sat front and center for opening night along with his wife, Linda Morrison.
Driving Miss Daisy is being performed at Luke 10:27 Christian Church, 536 Centerville St. NE in Denham Springs, on April 16, 17, 18, 23, and 24 at 7:00 p.m. and April 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Concessions are sold before the play and during intermission, including water, Coke products, popcorn, and homemade cookies and brownies.
Tickets can be purchased here.
