OOPSIE DAISY
Published in the Jan. 10, 2026 issue.
Small but mighty is the way to describe the cast of “Driving Miss Daisy.” The Pulitzer-prize winning script by Alfred Uhry features just three parts, played by Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre actors Juliana Olinka Jones, Maurice Cooper and David Baron.
All the actors have some foundational theater background, and it shows.
Olinka’s background is steeped in professionalism. She spent more than 20 years in entertainment marketing at Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures and later taught High School drama for four years before she moved to Mammoth, making her a natural lead for the production.
Likewise, Cooper is no stranger to the drama world, as he recently attended Theatricum Botanicum’s Classical Acting Intensive Course at Topanga Canyon and has seemingly appeared in nearly every local production over the past decade. That is, when he’s not emceeing Canyon Lodge Après for boozed-up tourists or at Liberty manning the mic for an even boozier group of locals.
As for Baron? This play marks his return to theatre after a 30 year hiatus since having trained and worked as an actor and theatrical producer.
The three come together in a story which follows Daisy Werthan (played by Olinka Jones), a sharp-tongued, independent Jewish widow, and Hoke Colburn (Cooper), her calm, patient African-American chauffeur. After a minor accident, Daisy’s son Boolie (Baron) insists she hire a driver.
Knowing his mother’s snappy temperament, Boolie makes sure Hoke knows he cannot be fired no matter what Daisy says. It’s a good thing he did: only through Hoke’s persistence, patience, and good nature do the two break through the tension.
Miss Daisy initially struggles with her own prejudices against Hoke, while Hoke navigates a world where racial discrimination is constant.
Meanwhile, Miss Daisy comes face to face with anti-Semitism, and the play touches on how these experiences shape their connection. Shared encounters with prejudice, both large and small, reveal the challenges and advantages of building understanding across race and religion.
What starts as an awkward, tense relationship slowly grows into a deep friendship over 25 years.
Hoke teaches Miss Daisy, in small but meaningful ways, that he is trustworthy, dependable, and deserving of dignity and respect. In turn, she teaches him to read and gradually softens to his character.
The play balances humor and tenderness, showing how two very different people can connect despite their opposite personalities and different backgrounds.
The dialogue is funny, but more importantly, it’s believable – making the show’s touching moments all the more affecting.
You might even pick up a Southern twang along the way.
Mammoth Lakes Repertory Theatre will perform “Driving Miss Daisy” from Jan. 9-11 and Jan. 16-18 at Mammoth High School, 365 Sierra Park Road. Showtimes will be at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Advance tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for seniors 65 and older, and $15 for high school students. All tickets are $25 at the door. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.mammothlakesrep.org.
