How I Learned To Drive, by Paula Vogel


I attended several performances of How I Learned to Drive at Sweet Briar College.

On April 1, and again on April 3, and again on April 4 I saw How I Learned To Drive, by Paula Vogel at Sweet Briar College.
The production featured strong performances by Erin Coleman as Lil Bit and Keith Tyree as Peck, which made the play fascinating to watch. Erin turned in a very nuanced performance that successfully showed Lil Bit as a 13 year old, 17 year old and 35 year old. Particularly affecting was her obvious desire for a loving protective father figure. This is a very difficult role - Lil Bit is very conflicted over her relationship with Peck. Lil Bit is really heroic in this play - she takes the really poor hand she is dealt by life and survives, though not without deep scars. Tyree was charming, patient, sensitive and totally deluded into thinking his feelings for Lil Bit was love. Watching her have to choose between saving herself and destroying Peck is very strong drama.
The minor roles were less successful, though still worked well enough. Sarah Liston shows promise but needs some good old fashioned technique in comedy, Aaron tends to overplay too much, but gets away with it in most cases. The set was pretty good - I liked the idea of having realistic pieces for the house and car, and nothing else real, It served to constantly remind us that Lil Bit's main focus is to escape her upbringing, and the car is her way out.
I did have a quibble with the way they did the climactic scene in the hotel room. I think it is important that Lil Bit knows exactly what her rejection will do to Peck, but she has to do it to save herself. The moment in between "Go home" and "Are you all right?" is a major moment - he he gives up on life and she knows it. They underplayed it, and the moment passed without the full strength it could have had.
All in all, the play went well, mostly because of the fine performances by the two main actors.

Posted: Sun - April 4, 2004 at 07:07 PM          

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