The producers of one of Broadway’s biggest hit plays of the fall, “Driving Miss Daisy,” are talking to stars Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones about continuing in the show through the spring rather than close on Jan. 29 as planned, according to people on the business side of the production. They said they expected resolution one way or another soon.
Both acting giants, Ms. Redgrave and Mr. Jones earned strong reviews for their performances as Daisy Werthan, a stubborn Southern widow who, at 72, is all but forced by her son (Boyd Gaines) to consent to a driver (Mr. Jones).
While the production itself drew mixed reviews, it has emerged as a commercial stand-out in the Broadway firmament, earning $674,236 for its eight performances last week; only the Al Pacino-led “Merchant of Venice” is doing better. Several other new plays and musicals this fall have been struggling, especially those lacking star power.
The producers of “Daisy” seem certain to recoup their investment whether the play extends or not. But there is surely more money to be had through the spring, and a longer run would only improve the show’s odds in the Tony Awards competition. Most shows that receive Tony nominations each May are still playing, though last season some shuttered shows — like “A View from the Bridge” — did relatively well.
“Driving Miss Daisy,” by Alfred Uhry, has a history of long runs: The original Off Broadway production opened in April 1987 with Dana Ivey and Morgan Freeman in the lead roles, and ended up having 1,195 performances before closing in June 1990. The current production, directed by David Esbjornson, is the first for the show on Broadway; the play therefore has never qualified for contention in the Tonys race before this season.
Producers with the show declined comment on Thursday. The people who spoke from the business side of the production did so on the condition of anonymity, citing the privacy of the ongoing negotiations and the desire by the producers to make an official announcement if the stars re-up. It was not clear if Mr. Gaines would extend as well; he received strong reviews, but the people involved with the production said they did not know if he was available to run longer.
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