By Sharon Rus
STAFF WRITER
“How I Learned To Drive” by Paula Vogel is the delicately-made play about the tense, sexual relationship between the young girl Li’l Bit (Natasha Cole) and her Uncle Perk (Bryan Raiton).
Even though the subject matter of incest and pedeophilia shown through the play was often uncomfortable, the play was humorous and self-aware. The constant comic relief helped to relieve the tension built up by the intense moments.
“The play allows us to entertain the possibility that there are a lot more grays in life. We are constantly moving between the black, white and gray. It is an uncomfortable play. Some people will just say, ‘I didn’t like it.’ I understand that, but I challenge you to examine that voice and ask yourself what exactly you didn’t like,” said Ilona Pierce, the associate professor of drama and director of the play.
Sure enough, when I left the show, I observed people glancing around at each other as if wondering what they had just watched. Or maybe they had hoped that someone could explain the unsettling feelings they had.
This showed that the actors’ performances had incited genuine conversation. It had sparked an uncertainty inside of us that we needed to talk about.
None of the characters are wholly evil nor are they wholly good. This complexity makes the play dynamic and incites discussion. The multiple layers unfold through a series of out-of-order flashbacks; it’s a memoir of Li’l Bit’s life.
The play not only divulges into the complicated relationship that she had with her uncle, who taught her how to drive, but it also questions the audience’s views of the world.
“The characters are completely contradictory. On one hand, the family is very free about talking about sex and the next moment they don’t want to talk about sex. One moment alcohol is fun and the next it’s terrible. It’s very much like real life,” Pierce said.
The last show is on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theater. All students can get two free tickets with their current Hofstra ID card. If seats are available, tickets will be sold at the door 90 minutes prior to showtime.
This is a unique play, which will captivate you with the character’s quick wit and humanity. The show was nothing like I have ever seen before and I highly recommend it.