`Daisy’ blooms on Denver stage

Sounds of a car kicking into motion are followed by a crash. “It was the car’s fault!” said Daisy Werthan. “My old LaSalle wouldn’t have done that.”

Billie McBride is revisiting the role of the irritable elderly Southern Jewish woman who is in denial regarding her age and abilities.

Her son Boolie (Mark Collins) hires a mature black man, Hoke (Cajardo Lindsey), to be her driver –; which she resists for some time before reluctantly agreeing to an excursion to Piggly Wiggly, complaining all the way about his route.

Vignettes follow: On a cemetery trip to tidy up Daisy’s husband’s grave, it develops that Hoke can’t read when she asks him to find another grave. The teacher mode kicks in.

On a trip to Mobile, it’s the first time Hoke has left Georgia –; and Daisy makes a mistake in her map reading.

During a fierce storm and power outage, Hoke is able to drive out to Miss Daisy’s although her son can’t leave his driveway. “I learned to drive on snow when I was delivering milk,” he says, bringing her some hot coffee.

He tries to convince her that he can’t take her to temple because someone has bombed it, and offers a stark observation on the nature of bigotry.

Throughout, as 30 years pass, and both age noticeably, the pair continue to spar, but a deep friendship is formed.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is engaging and thought-provoking. Have we really come as far away from racism in this country as we think we have?

This is a chance to watch top-notch actors take on an American classic, sensitively directed by Pat Payne.

If you go

“Driving Miss Daisy” by Alfred Uhry plays through June 28 at Cherry Creek Theatre, Shaver Ramsey Gallery, 2414 East Third Avenue, Denver. Tickets cost $ 34/$ 29, cherrycreektheatre.org, 303-800-6578. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 6:30 p.m. Sundays. The entire first weekend was sold out and some future shows may be sold out –; so reserve in advance.