NJT artistic director returns to the stage in ‘Driving Miss Daisy’

Kathleen Sitzer and J. Samuel Davis star in the New Jewish Theatre production of ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’ Photo: Eric Woolsey

The New Jewish Theatre will continue its 20th anniversary season with a revival of Alfred Uhry’s play, “Driving Miss Daisy,” from Dec. 1 to 18.

NJT Artistic Director Kathleen Sitzer will return to the stage after a nine-year hiatus to play the title character, Daisy Werthen, the fiercely independent, stubborn and crotchety Jewish widow who reluctantly gives in to her son’s insistence that because of her advancing age, he needs to hire a driver for her.

Set in Atlanta between the years of 1948-1973, the play follows the developing and complex relationship between 72-year-old Daisy (in 1948) and her African-American driver, Hoke. Their initially contentious relationship blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that transcends the societal boundaries placed between them.

 Sydney Grosberg Ronga directs the production which features, in addition to Sitzer, J. Samuel Davis as Hoke,  and Eric Dean White as her son.

 Single tickets for all NJT productions at the Jewish Community Center’s Wool Studio Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, range from $39.50 to $43.50 and are available along with partial subscriptions at newjewishtheatre.org or by calling 314-442-3283. There will also be several talkbacks scheduled after select performances. 

Visit newjewishtheatre.org or call the box office, 314-442-3257 for more information and full descriptions of all the season’s offerings.