Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - February 2026

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 | A B A C O A & A LT O N N E I G H B O R S 7 T heatregoers coast-to-coast and worldwide are familiar with Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy , which tells the story of an unlikely, life-changing friend- ship between Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old Jewish widow, and Hoke Coleburn, a Black chauffeur hired by her son Boolie. Driving Miss Daisy is generally considered sweet and sentimental – which it is – but it is so much more than that. The play premiered in 1987, but speaks in numerous ways to these fraught times. There have been so many arti- cles published in recent years about the lone- liness that often accompanies aging, a reality beautifully realized by Uhry. It’s also a play about friendship, about communicating, about listening to each other, about breaking down walls, about learning to respect one another, about empathy and trust, about overcoming prejudice. It is for all these reasons that Palm Beach Dra- maworks Producing Artistic Director William Hayes chose to stage Driving Miss Daisy as part of the company’s 2025-26 season. PBD is a nonprofit theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the heart of West Palm Beach. Each season, the award-winning company pro- duces five plays, offering entertaining, edgy, and enthralling classics, contemporary works, and world premiere plays – what PBD calls “Theatre to Think About.” Driving Miss Daisy runs from February 6 through March 1. Driving Miss Daisy is presented in association with Barrington Stage Company and will be directed by Julianne Boyd, Barrington Stage’s founding artistic director. The production stars theatre veterans Debra Jo Rupp and Ray An- thony Thomas, both making their PBD de- buts. Daisy’s son, Boolie, is played by PBD veteran Matthew W. Ko- rinko. To learn more about Palm Beach Dramaworks, visi t palmbeachdramaworks.org. Don & Ann Brown Theatre 201 Clematis Street West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 Theatre to Think About Driving Miss Daisy set sketch. Scenic design: Bert Scott Driving Miss Daisy costume sketches. Costume Design: Brian O’Keefe Palm Beach Dramaworks Driving Miss Daisy well as state leadership from outside our region, to ensure Palm Beach North’s priorities are clearly communicated. Importantly, we do not advocate alone. BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TO THE TABLE A defining feature of our advocacy approach is inclusion. We bring regional stakeholders, business leaders, and community partners directly into these meetings so their perspectives are shared firsthand. By connecting our members with state leadership, we help foster meaningful relationships that last well beyond a single trip or legislative session. This approach allows policymakers to hear directly from those creating jobs, investing locally, and contributing to the region’s quality of life. It also gives our business leaders a deeper understanding of how state government works and how their voices can influence outcomes. LOOKING AHEAD Advocacy is about shaping the future we want to see. It is about ensuring that Palm Beach North remains competitive, resilient, and prepared for growth. Through strong relationships, informed engagement, and a commitment to collaboration, the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce will continue to be a leading advocate for policies that support businesses and strengthen our region. When our business community has a seat at the table, everyone benefits. Together, we are ensuring that Palm Beach North’s voice is heard: clearly, consistently, and with purpose. Ensure your voice is heard by joining the conversation at pbnchamber.com, and to stay ahead of important advocacy updates, subscribe to our Prosperity & Policy newsletter on the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce LinkedIn.