"Driving Miss Daisy and More This Sunday

Congregation Adath Israel and Vintage Players present "Driving Miss Daisy", the play by Alfred Uhry first produced Off-Broadway in 1987 at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Carolyn Kirsch (pictured left) stars in the title role along with Rick Nelson as Hoke Colburn (her driver) and Nat Holmes as her son Boolie Werthan.  The story opens as Miss Daisy's son takes away her driving privileges and hires a driver.  At the heart of the play is the relationship of the elderly white Jewish Daisy and the African American Hoke.  We watch it unfold over 25 years as the main characters and citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, (where the play is set) deal with issues of segregation, racism, and assimilation.

After the play, there will be a panel discussion on African American/Jewish relationships in Middletown, the state and the country.  Scheduled to appear will be several members of the clergy (including Adath Israel's Rabbi Seth Haaz), Professor Ron Schatz of the Wesleyan University History Department, and Debbie Shapiro, Executive Director of the Middlesex County Historical Society.  To cap off the event, members of the Afro-Semitic Experience, an ensemble started by bassist David Chevan and pianist Warren Byrd to play a mix of spiritual music, world beat, jazz, salsa, gospel, funk, cantorial and more, inspired by the liturgical music of the Black Church and the Jewish continuum.

The play starts at 4 p.m., the panel discussion at 6 and the music at 6:30. Ticket price is $10 per person and can be reserved by calling Adath Israel at 860-346-4709.  Rabbi Haaz will appear on WLIS & WMRD's Phil Mikan Show Wednesday May 28 at 10 a.m..  The show will be archived at www.philmikan.com.