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Page 74 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Showbiz People
Driving Miss Daisy Opening Night Comedy Theatre
If you only see one show in a decade, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ is the one ■ Driving Miss Daisy, starring Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines opened at The Comedy Theatre on Saturday, and will only be here for five weeks. If you only see one show in a decade, Driving Miss Daisy should be your selection. Don’t miss it. Driving Miss Daisy allows Melbourne audiences to see third world-class actors at work. Angela Lansbury, 87, is sprightly and alert, and plays Miss Daisy perfectly. James Earl Jones is commanding, and wins our hearts ... as he does too with Miss Daisy. Tony Award winning Boyd Gaines is the superb schoice as the third-hander. The Comedy stage is sparse for this show, and the theatre fits the show perfectly. It is so good that Observer entertain-
ment columnist Kevin Trask bought tickets for last night’s show (Tuesday), after having first seen the opening night production on Saturday evening. Kevin says: “What a joy it was to be present at the recent press conference to launch the Melbourne season of the play Driving Miss Daisy. As a dedicated film buff it was heaven not only to be in the presence of such famous film and Broadway stars, but to be also given the privilege of asking questions. “When Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines sat down in front of the assembled media at a city hotel it was overwhelming. I did manage to ask Angela Lansbury about her memories of working with Elvis Presley during the filming of Blue Hawaii.
“Angela said that Elvis was the perfect gentleman and treated her very nicely.” Driving Miss Daisy is playing at The Comedy Theatre until May 12. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster 1300 111 011 Thank you to The Frost Organisation for bringing Broadway to Melbourne. ■ Kevin Trask adds: “I couldn't take my eyes off Angela Lansbury - there were so many questions I would have loved to have asked. What were her memories of films such as The Picture Of Dorian Gray, The Harvey Girls, National Velvet, The Court Jester and so many more. But it was a 30-minute press conference that I will never forget.”
THIS PHOTO: KEVIN TRASK
● Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones at the media launch
● Michelle Van Ray with Billy Baxter
● Rohan Browne and Christie Whelan_Browne
● Donna Petrovich and Arts Minister Heidi Victoria
● Melissa Langton with Colette Mann
● Kathleen Amarant and Louisa Tascone of TheatrePeople.com.au