THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 20, 1996 TAG: 9604200361
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Here's the question most often asked on opening night at The Gallery Theatre: ``Is he really only 17 years old?''
Willie Bell, a Gates County High School student with limited stage experience, performs like a seasoned professional as he portrays the chauffeur, Hoke, in ``Driving Miss Daisy,'' a must-not-be-missed presentation of The Gallery Theatre.
The makeup is excellent, as we watch him age from the time we first see him in 1948 on to 1973, but that alone does not account for his ultra-convincing portrayal.
Everything Bell says and does - his yes'm and no'm are classic - every movement and facial expression is perfect.
This may sound like going off the deep end, but here goes: He gives the performance of the decade.
Bell alone is worth the small price of admission, but his co-stars make the production even more worthwhile.
Julie Shields, as Miss Daisy, also offers an excellent, convincing performance, aging well physically and emotionally.
Tony Babb, whose stage credits are one before this one, acts like a veteran actor. He portrays her son, Boolie. It is the least colorful part in the play, but he makes the character interesting and fun.
A ton of credit must go to the director, Jim Ivey, who took an outstanding play and two freshman actors and came up with a production that ranks as The Gallery's finest.
Still more praise: The lighting is very well done, adding so much to the mood. Credit Karen Knowles. Credit her husband, Charles, for the sound, particularly the incidental music heard throughout the play; it also adds so much to the mood.
That mood is a mix of comedy and drama. The warm story tells of a stubborn Jewish Southern lady who is determined she will not have anything to do with the laid-back black chauffeur her son has hired.
The play is bittersweet. Their relationship goes from bitter to sweet. The change is beautifully subtle. You don't realize it is happening - you look - there it is - Miss Daisy and Hoke have aged a little more.
They become a little grayer, they get about with a little more difficulty, they speak more slowly.
The finest scenes between the two mix pantomime and conversation as Hoke drives Miss Daisy around Atlanta. The mood is serious at one point when they find out that the temple she attends has been bombed. The responsible group is not mentioned by name, but as the two talk about it, there is no question.
The scene that will really grab you, though, is the last in the play. This semi-hardened reviewer cannot remember when he got teary-eyed over a moment on stage.
Nor can I remember hearing spontaneous applause break out every few minutes during a production.
``Driving Miss Daisy'' offers emotional satisfaction. Driving yourself, family and friends to the Gallery should be a must no matter where you live. The play is outstanding. The performance by Willie Bell - doubly outstanding. ILLUSTRATION: THEATER REVIEW
WHAT: ``Driving Miss Daisy''
WHEN: 8 p.m. tonight, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: The Gallery Theatre, Main Street, Ahoskie
by CNB