How I Learned to Drive

Chicago Reader

February 14, 2008
BY LAURA MOLZAHN

Paula Vogel's spare 1998 Pulitzer Prize winner tells the story of a fatherless teenage girl, Li'l Bit, courted by her married uncle--no blood relation, but creepily interested in her from the age of 11. He provides not only behind-the-wheel instruction but lessons in life she's way too young to learn. Vogel's poetic, artfully structured, often funny play never shrinks from the ugly situation--or from the copmlicated, genuine bond between uncle and neice.

In Matthew Reeder's delicate, straightforward production for BackStage Theatre Comany, Brenda Barrie gives a realistic yet dignified portrayal of the adolescent Li'l bit, while Ron Butts's soft voice and ingratiating manner deftly suggest a Humbert Humbert seducing his Lolita.

This is an intimately staged show on an uncomfortable subject, but you never feel embarrassment, only clear-eyed pity--for everyone.

CRITIC'S CHOICE