How I Learned To Drive: Review

Photos provided by Texas Tech Department of Theatre and Dance.

I love hearing stories from my parents and grandparents about how life was better back in the good old days. Apparently things were simpler, America was what it should be, and families were really close with one another. But how close is too close?

Texas Tech’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents “How I Learned to Drive.” It was created by Paula Vogel out of inspiration from Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita.” This story is told through the eyes of a woman named Li’l Bit (played by Ashley Meyer). Li’l Bit tells the story of her crazy family from the year 1962 to 1985 that takes a look into American history and understanding life and sexuality.

Photos provided by Texas Tech Department of Theatre and Dance.

This play was hysterical and it was also very moving. I love when plays are shown in the laboratory theatre. The actors are literally feet away from you and not many people fit in the theatre. Based on the content of this play, it made the audience’s viewing experience a little more personable.

Li’l Bit’s family is all kinds of colorful. They’re loud, invading, and over protecting. My favorite character was definitely Amanda Espinoza. In one of the scenes she gives a tutorial on how to be a “classy drunk” in “A mother’s guide to drinking.” I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard at a performance. That act alone would be enough to convince anyone to see this play.

What you also learn about Li’l Bit’s family is they’re all really close. Especially Li’l Bit and her Uncle Peck (played by Jamie Rogers). Uncle Peck is a nice guy who comes from a good place. The only thing is, Uncle Peck has a thing for children who are younger than him and who happen to also be family.

It all started when Uncle Peck and Li’l Bit go on a long car ride together on vacation. He teaches Li’l Bit how to drive at a very young age and he also shows her that he’s interested in being more than just kin. That scene was really hard to watch because I’ve never had or wanted to think about my relatives in any way like that. But it also brings this subject to the audience’s attention.

Photos provided by Texas Tech Department of Theatre and Dance.

Even though this play takes place almost 20 years ago, it poses the question, “How much of this happens today?” Paula Vogel said this play takes a universal look into how “this culture sexualizes children” and where the line is truly crossed when it comes to love and what happens with “the gifts we receive from the people who harm us.”

The analogy of learning to drive is shown throughout the entire play because it relates to every man’s first love, a car. Uncle Peck shares his love of cars and driving with Li’l Bit — which is very personable. He tries to find moments for just the two of them to share and everything that relates to driving in Li’l Bit’s life has to do with Uncle Peck.

The acting was amazing in this play. I’ve seen some of the cast members perform before and they proved how talented they are a second time around. I really liked the way the scenes were set up. There’s not much room in the theatre for a full set but they had a screen in the background of everything that helped establish scenery. It helped incorporate today’s technology with the setting back then.

I also like the music and references from back then. When all of the women start having discussions on sex and love it’s  easy to see that not much has changed in 20 years. Mothers still know best and kids want to get out of the house and live their lives.

This play is definitely worth seeing. Tickets for “How I Learned To Drive” are $18 for individuals and $5 for students with a valid student ID. A limited number of free student rush tickets are available for Texas Tech Students. “How I Learned To Drive” runs from Feb. 17 through 22 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. For more information, call the Maedgen Theatre box office at (806) 742-3603.

Cast:

Li’L Bit – Ashley Meyer

Peck – Jamie Rogers

Male Greek Chorus – Joshua Barrett

Female Greek Chorus – Amanda Espinoza

Teenage Greek Chorus – Lauren Mangum

Director – Bruce Hermann

Assistant Director – Natalie Mayo

Scenic/Projection Design – Matthew Schlief

Lighting Design – Jennifer McKown

Sound Design – James Bush

Dramaturg – Ashley Meyer

Movement Consultant – Tiza Garland

Voice Over – Dan Brown

Production Staff:

Stage Manager – Becca Venable

Assistant Stage Manager – Jesus M. Ramirez

Master Electrician – Emmett Buhmann

Sound Board – Jeannine Fergerson

Lighting Running Crew – Jordan Shaw, Scott Luke, and Ana Maldonado

Scenery Crew – Shawnee Jimenez, Natalie Mayo, and Joshua Servantes

Costume Running Crew – Lexi McCaig, Leni Morales, and May Reeves

Assistant Properties Master – Scott Ferrell Jr.

Program Design – Aaron Wood

Poster/Program Cover Design – Nicholas D. Irion

House Supervisors – DeRon Williams and Karen Wurl

House Managers – Kate Dressler, Natascha Muizers, and Randy Woolley

Ushers – Maria Becerra, Wesley Bingham, and Sierra Burt, Kate Dressler, Jordan Hammack, and Jessica Teague