In 2008, the GCTC produced Driving Miss Daisy as part of their Reader’s Theatre program.  A special thank you to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation for allowing us to use their school for our performance. And thanks to Stanley and Mary Alice Madison for all their hard work.

The place is the Deep South, the time 1948, just prior to the civil rights upheaval in the United States. Having recently demolished another car, Daisy Wertham, a rich, crusty and sharp-tongued widow of 72, is informed by her businessman son, Boolie, that henceforth she must rely on the services of a chauffeur. The person he hires for the job is a thoughtful, unemployed black man, Hoke, whom Miss Daisy immediately regards with disdain and who, in turn, is not favorably impressed with his employer’s patronizing tone and, he believes, her latent prejudice. But, in a series of absorbing, revealing scenes, spanning 25 years and filled with warm humor and glinting insights, the two, despite their mutual differences, grow ever closer to and more dependent on each other, until, eventually, they become almost a couple. Slowly and steadily the dignified, good-natured Hoke breaks down the stern defenses of the ornery old lady, as she teaches him to read and write and, in a gesture of good will and shared concern invites him to join her at a banquet in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. — which her son declines to attend because it might be bad for business. As the play ends Hoke has a final visit with Miss Daisy, now 97 and confined to a nursing home, and while it is evident that a vestige of her fierce independence and sense of position still remain, it is also movingly clear that both of them have come to realize that they have more in common than they ever believed possible—and times and circumstances would ever allow them to publicly admit.

Cast

Stacy Milheiser – Miss Daisy – Oct. 10, 11, 12
Stacy was born and raised here in Gibson County before leaving for college and life outside of Indiana. She spent a few years traveling and settled in Cincinnati for 10 years, where she was active in several stage performance groups. Stacy has been a member of GCTC since 2005, and has been a part of several productions in various aspects throughout the years, from acting and directing, to choreography. Her day job is at Duke Energy, and her evening job is working with the PCHS Marching Tigers. She and EC have one daughter, Devon, who is well beyond her 11 years. She wishes to thank them for their support, patience, and love. Thanks to Eric and the cast of this show!!!

Jill Wright – Miss Daisy – Oct. 17, 18, 19
Jill loves theater! She has been performing since the age 5 in her family’s garage. She charged the neighborhood kids 25 cents to watch I Love Lucy interpretations. She has really enjoyed working at Lyles Station with this talented cast and Eric’s great direction. She’d like to thank her granddaughter, 4-year old Rosa, for helping her be “Miss Daisy.” LYM&D

Tim Young – Hoke – All Shows
Tim is a native of Princeton and this is his first theatrical performance. He is a self taught musician and plays the piano for two local churches. Tim is employed in the Human Resource Dept. at Vuteq Indiana located in Princeton. He currently resides in Princeton with his wife and children.

Cliff Ingram – Boolie – Oct, 10, 11, 12
Cliff is a member of the Board of Directors and heads the technology side of the group. His love for the theatre grew out of watching his now 14 year old daughter have fun on stage, and theatre is now a family affair, as his wife Lorie appeared in Chicago: The Musical this past summer. Cliff co-hosts the Country 98.1 Morning Road Show, along with Weed – and is the photographer/owner of Ingram Images in his spare time.

Mike Watkins – Boolie – Oct. 17, 18, 19
Although this is Mike’s first production with GCTC he is no stranger to the theater. While attending PCHS he played in the pit orchestra for the school musicals. Mike has played the roll of the Mayor in Bye Bye Birdie and as Linus in The World According to Snoopy in an adult summer theater years ago. A lifelong resident of Princeton, Mike is involved in many local non-profit organizations as well as his church, Hillside UMC. He has been employed at Hansen Corporation over 23 years where he is the Human Resources Manager.

Chiyona Bourne – Idella
She is in her third year as the Director and Lead Teacher for Hillside Preschool. Rev. Bourne is a Commissioned Deacon of the United Methodist Church serving in the specialized capacity of ministry with children. In her spare time, Chiyona loves to sing, dance, and watch children as they realize they have learned something new! She enjoys volunteering at children and youth camps in the summer.