SALON

Monday, Jan 7, 2013 4:00 AM UTC

James Earl Jones to star in “Driving Miss Daisy”

By

Topics: From the Wires,

James Earl Jones to star in Actor Angela Lansbury poses for photos in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. James Earl Jones and Lansbury, in Australia to star in a touring production of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer-Prize winning play "Driving Miss Daisy," credit the thrill of performing with their seemingly endless supply of energy, which has propelled them throughout their decades-long careers. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)(Credit: Rick Rycroft)

SYDNEY (AP) — They’re starring in a play about a woman reluctant to age and the perils of passing time, but veteran actors James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury say that life in their 80s continues to be exciting thanks to their determination to keep doing what they love.

Jones and Lansbury, in Australia to star in a touring production of Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer-Prize winning play “Driving Miss Daisy,” say the thrill of performing has propelled them throughout their decades-long careers and gives them the energy necessary to keep up with their often grueling schedules.

“First of all, wake up. Wake up and try to get your bones moving,” a grinning Jones, who turns 82 this month, said Monday ahead of the cast’s first rehearsal. “And then be enthusiastic about what you do. I’m very enthusiastic about acting still. I love the process of creating a character.”

For 87-year-old Lansbury, whose seven-decade career has spanned stage, film and television, performing live gives her a rush that can’t be matched on the screen.

“You get on stage and you really can let it out,” she said, throwing her arms wide. “You’re not hampered by camera angles or lighting.”

Lansbury, nominated for three Oscars and beloved for her role as amateur detective Jessica Fletcher on the long-running TV series “Murder, She Wrote,” said it was the stage that gave her a jolt of fresh inspiration later in life.

“Coming back to the theater about seven years ago turned the tide for me, it really did. Because it gave me a career after 70,” she said. “I could still work in the theater and play great roles, but it wasn’t so easy to continue as a motion picture actress. Which I was very glad of — I didn’t like the way we were making movies … the kind of roles I would like to play didn’t seem to exist. But I love the theater and, as it turned out, it was the thing to do.”

Both actors jumped at the chance to perform in “Driving Miss Daisy,” which began as an off-Broadway play and inspired the Oscar-winning film starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman. The play follows the evolving friendship of Daisy and her chauffeur Hoke in the American South over 25 years.

“When I saw Morgan do it, I said ‘I’d like to play that role,’” Jones said. “I thought I understood (Hoke) and I want to understand him more.”

Jones was also attracted to the role because of Hoke’s illiteracy. Jones, famous for his distinctive baritone voice, suffered from a debilitating stutter as a child that left him virtually mute until he was 14. An English teacher mentored him until he discovered his voice, which then led to his acting career. Now, he finds particular fulfillment when playing characters who struggle with language.

“Hoke Colburn is such a character. He’s illiterate, but he speaks English … and uses it very effectively and very poetically,” Jones said. “That’s what I love about the role, trying to understand how he re-weaves language so he gets himself across.”

Lansbury said it was the play’s setting in the American South that helped attract her to the role of Daisy.

“I understand the southern mentality,” she said. “I went to drama school with a number of young women who came from (the South) and I never forgot them and I never forgot the way they spoke. Their accents were so interesting to me.”

The role is a big change from her 12-year run as Jessica Fletcher on “Murder, She Wrote,” and the change is welcome. While Lansbury has a soft spot for the mystery writer, she admits she doesn’t miss her much.

“I was happy to retire her. I’m constantly reminded of her by people who are still very fond of watching the show. … I can’t get away from it!” she said with a laugh. “I’m more famous for Jessica Fletcher than anything.”

By Kristen Gelineau

More By Kristen Gelineau.

Next Article

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Related Videos

More Related Stories

Comments

 0 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

follow salon

Most Read

Video of the Day

Watch More Here »

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves": Growing up primate

Recommendations