Nu·ance Theatre presents
How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
Directed by Drucie McDaniel
How I Learned to Drive is noteworthy for the many awards that it won, including the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for drama. In addition, the play also was awarded an Obie, a Drama Desk Award, a New York Drama Critics' Award, an Outer Circle Critics Award, and the Lucille Lortel Award.
Li'l Bit grows up in rural Maryland during the 1960s with a large extended family: her mother, who became pregnant at a young age; her grandmother, a God-fearing former child-bride; her ignorant, sexist grandfather; her Uncle Peck, who has been affected by experiences in combat and is a recovering alcoholic; and Aunt Mary, who is in denial of her husband's behavior.
Years pass and Li'l Bit enters puberty, sparking an unhealthy relationship with her Uncle Peck. Though he makes her uncomfortable, Peck is the only member of her family who is nice to her and supportive of her plans to go to college. He gives Li'l Bit driving lessons, and when she drives she develops a feeling of control that she does not have in her home life. Since they are both "outsiders" in their family, she feels an odd kinship with him. Despite her high intelligence, Li'l Bit's classmates recognize her only for her large breasts.
The play is told through a series of flashbacks under the guise of driving lessons.
Featuring
Michelle Bellaver* as Li'l Bit
Gene Pope as Uncle Peck
Lisa-Marie Newton* as Female Greek Chorus
Scott Brieden as Male Greek Chorus
Alexa Dogget as Teen Greek Chorus
Costumes by Jude Hinojosa
Set Design by You-Shin Chen
Lighting Design by Sam Kearny
Projections, Photography, and Graphics by Annie R. Such
Performances are held at
John DeSotelle Studio
300 W. 43rd St. #301
New York, NY 10036
Tickets are $18 online, $20 at the door