How I Learned to Drive up next for Workhouse Theatre
By: Dan Hylton 04/01/2009
How I Learned to Drive, by Paula Vogel, hits the Workhouse Stage at The Warren on May 1. Workhouse Theatre Company's (WTC) second Pulitzer Prize-winning play in as many springs is described by the company as being "The story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel."
A comedy, with both surprising and devastating moments, How I Learned to Drive is a tale of survival seen through the lens of a young girl. It uses metaphors related to driving and covers a host of coming-of-age travails and challenges," ...taking an audience on a journey down a bumpy road in rural Maryland to deliver a story of survival and forgiveness."
The show will be directed by Workhouse Theatre veteran Steven Bucko, who has worked with the company on a number of occasions, and most recently as a performer in March's Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children. And among the cast of five talented performers onstage is the Northside's own Linda Sue Anderson, who was last seen with WTC in its 2006 staged reading of ‘night, Mother, but who has a bundle of Twin Cities acting credits in recent years.
A notable contribution to the funding of this production is courtesy of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, which acts to distribute government appropriations to arts organizations in the seven-county metro area. Workhouse Theatre has been the beneficiary of this funding for the past two years. In this instance, the council is providing funds to assist with the production expenses for How I Learned to Drive, recognizing WTC's economic and social impact on the neighborhood, as well as the potential for this particular show to appeal to and connect with Minneapolis' Northside audiences.
How I Learned to Drive runs for 10 performances over the first three weekends in May, opening Friday, May 1. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door ($8/$10 students/seniors), though special discounted nights are available. Visit www.workhousetheatre.org or call 612-386-5763 for details.
Workhouse Theatre's 2008-2009 season is made possible, in part, by season sponsorships from Papa's Restaurant and Deli, Steamworks Coffee and Tea Company, and Camden Pet Hospital.