Carol Irvin Stars As Daisy Werthan in DRIVING MISS DAISY at Cumberland County Playhouse/Extends to Today

Carol Irvin, Michael Ruff and Daniel W. Black star in Cumberland County Playhouse's 48^th season-opening production of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy, which opened Saturday, January 21. CCP officials have announced the play's extension, with the run extending through May 26.

Irvin began her Playhouse career in the early 1970s when Paul Crabtree recruited her from his Opryland cast of I Hear America Singing, so she could appear with him in Crossville in An Evening with Paul Crabtree. Other than performing in Fairfield Glade for a few years with husband Charles "Buster " Irvin, and then freelancing in Chattanooga, Carol's Playhouse tenure is now at 40 years, with scores of leading roles and thousands of performances to her credit.

Driving Miss Daisy is the heartfelt story of Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old Jewish widow in Atlanta, and her African-American chauffeur Hoke Coleburn. What begins as a prickly pairing eventually blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that spans 25 years and transcends the boundaries between them. With its sparkling humor, honesty and dignity, this quietly powerful American classic has touched the hearts of millions.

In 1989, the play was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, and last year it was revived on Broadway and in London's West End in a production that starred James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave.

CCP's new production of Driving Miss Daisy is directed by John Fionte (Chicago, My Fair Lady) and features costumes by Rebel Mickelson, sets by Jim Crabtree and will run through April 14. Tickets are available on online at www.ccplayhouse.com or by callin (931) 484-5000.

PHOTO: Michael Ruff and Carol Irvin