Philadelphia audiences will be the first to see the Walnut Street Theatre's production of “Driving Miss Daisy,” which previews on Jan. 14, opens on Jan. 16, and runs through Feb. 2. The show will then become the fourth national tour of a Walnut Street Theatre production.

Audiences are invited to experience what made “Driving Miss Daisy” a Pulitzer Prize-winning hit and an Academy Award-winning film. It's Atlanta, 1948. When the elderly Miss Daisy has an accident, her son hires Hoke, an African American, to be her chauffeur. At first Miss Daisy will have none of it. On their journey however, the two become friends. “Driving Miss Daisy” is an iconic tale of pride, changing times and the transformative power of friendship that has warmed the hearts of millions. 

"Driving Miss Daisy" was written by American playwright and screenwriter Alfred Uhry in 1987, and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play. 

It was the first in Uhry’s “Atlanta Trilogy.” The second in the trilogy, “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” received the 1997 Tony Award for Best Play. The third, “Parade,” was awarded with the 1999 Tony Award for Best Book (Musical) for the libretto, which was written by Uhry. In 1989 he wrote the screenplay for “Driving Miss Daisy,” which received four Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay, Best Picture and Best Actress (Jessica Tandy). 

Directing "Driving Miss Daisy" is Bernard Havard, who said he is proud to be directing this production as “the rich history of Atlanta and its people is important to the history of our great country. This show is a journey of the heart, as much as it is an actual journey. On stage you see a deep love develop through friendship during a turbulent time in America’s past, which inspires hope for everyone.” 

His directorial credits include Walnut Street Theatre’s 2013 production “Good People,” as well as “God of Carnage,” “Art,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Skylight” and “A Life in the Theatre.”  He has spent his life in theater as an actor, stage manager, director, managing director and producer.  

Tickets are $30 to $40 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.