HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE Set For 1/15/2010 At The Chandler Studio Theatre Center

Directly on the heels of Ovation Award nominations for ‘Best Play - Intimate Theatre' and ‘Best Director' for his recent smash-hit production of EQUUS, The Production Company's Artistic Director August Viverito grapples another theatrical gem set to open January 15, 2010: Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE.

A wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE is the story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel.

Winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize. Co-winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Co-winner of the 1998 Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding play. "Ms. Vogel has written a lovely, harrowing guide to the crippling persistence of one woman's memories." -NY Times. "...HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE is a tremendous achievement, genuine and genuinely disturbing...This is, quite simply, the sweetest and most forgiving play ever written about such serious subject matter ...Vogel's delicate tactic makes sense not only as a way to redouble the dramatic effect, but as a representation of reality, a perfect case of the form fitting the subject." -Village Voice. "With subtle humor and teasing erotic encounters, Vogel addresses the dangerous intersections of teenage temptation. She also paints a richly poetic and picturesque landscape...The play is a potent and convincing comment on a taboo subject, and its impact sneaks up on its audience." -Variety. "...HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE turns out to be a most compelling ride." -BackStage

The cast for The Production Company's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE is equally impressive. Joanna Strapp returns to The Production Company's stage as Lil' Bit after a wildly successful run as Vivie Warren in George Bernard Shaw's ‘Mrs. Warren's Profession' last year. Joanna is challenged this time by the formidable talents of the astounding David Youse in the role of Uncle Peck. The three actors playing multiple roles as The Greek Chorus are also stand-outs in their own right. Skip Pipo (who was nominated as Best Supporting Actor by The LA Weekly last year); Jennifer Sorenson; and in an uncanny connection of lives, Allie Grant, who stars alongside the original Lil' Bit actress Mary Louise Parker on Showtime's ‘Weeds' finishes out the powerhouse group.

Director August Viverito has guided his company to eleven Ovation Award nominations and eight LA Weekly award nominations; many for ‘Best Play', outstanding performances and direction. Here has assembled yet another brilliant cast and crew including Ric Zimmerman as lighting designer, Ovation Award-winner Bob Blackburn as sound designer and T L Kolman as producer/assistant director. Both mind-bending and entertaining, August and his team have rendered the play with humor and humanity, allowing its theatrical intensity and sensitivity to bloom. HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE at The Chandler is a production of this play that no one should miss.

HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE
A Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Paula Vogel Directed by August Viverito
Featuring
Joanna Strapp David Youse
Allie Grant Jennifer Sorenson Skip Pipo
Assistant Directed by T L Kolman
Lighting Design by Ric Zimmerman Sound Design by Bob Blackburn
January 15 through February 20th, 2010 - Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM,
Sunday Matinees at 3 PM
The Chandler Studio Theatre Center - 12443 Chandler Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91607
Tickets $25. Charge your tickets at www.theprodco.com or 1-800-838-3006.
Cash only at the door.

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