DRIVING MISS DAISY Opens in Brisbane Tomorrow

The Australian Premiere of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic play Driving Miss Daisy will be held tomorrow evening, Saturday February 9, 2013 at The Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane. The production stars two of the world's greatest living actors- five-time Tony Award and three-time Academy Award nominee Angela Lansbury and two-time Tony Award winner and Academy Award winner James Earl Jones, alongside four-time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines.

The Brisbane Premiere season of Driving Miss Daisy, which has almost sold out, will be followed by seasons in Sydney (from March 1), Melbourne (from April 5) and Adelaide (from May 17).

Producer John Frost said, "It has been fascinating watching three of the finest actors in the world rehearsing this wonderful play, and it is testament to their reputation and experience that the Brisbane season has almost sold out before opening night. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Australian audiences to see a cast of Broadway and Hollywood royalty in one of the most enduring and popular stage plays of our time. Preview audiences have been moved and delighted by the incredible performances of Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines, and given every show a heartfelt standing ovation."

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and The Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, welcomed the premiere of Driving Miss Daisy to Queensland's capital. "It is a great coup for Brisbane to be the first city in Australia to host the internationally-acclaimed production of Driving Miss Daisy, with legendary actors Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones," Minister Stuckey said.

"Driving Miss Daisy joins an exciting calendar of world-class arts and cultural events for Brisbane in 2013 and the Newman Government is proud to support this enduring production. The season will attract more than 15,000 people through the doors at QPAC, delivering an estimated economic impact of $2.23 million for Queensland."

A timeless American play, which inspired the beloved Academy Award-winning film, Driving Miss Daisy tells the affecting story of the decades-long relationship between an elderly Southern Jewish woman, Daisy Werthan, and her compassionate African-American chauffeur, Hoke Colburn. Their iconic tale of pride, changing times and the transformative power of friendship has warmed the hearts of millions worldwide.

www.daisyonstage.com.au