Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / April 7, 2010, edition 1 / Page 4
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Theatre Production Preview of How I Learned to Drive Caitlin Griffin, Staff Writer It’s that time of year again! Everyone involved in the Meredith College Theatre Department has spent many weeks preparing the spring show: playwright Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive. According to director Steven Roten, this Puljtzer Prize-winning' play (1998) follows the humorous but gripping life drama of main charac ter Lil’bit as she matures to adult hood under the constraints of a less-than-perfect family and the too- close attention of her pedophiliac Uncle Peck. Related to the audience through non-linear flashbacks, the play chronicles a series of driv ing lessons in which Uncle Peck teaches Lil’bit how to drive. The audience will be able to emotionally connect with Lil’bit as she shares many humorous memories from her personal past, ranging from family dysfunction to the awkward middle school years and the pains of ado lescent puberty. When questioned about how the play’s specific theatrical genre, Roten e>q)lains, “The show is a comedy that deals with very serious subject matter. I \vas taught ‘make ‘em laugh and then shove tlie truth in’; although this is a comedy, the subject matter, including the protagonist’s uncle’s pedophilia, is quite dramatic.” The main actors in the play are Sara Croninger as Lil’bit and Marc Brown as Uncle Peck. Lauren Moore, Julie Kate Cooper, and Allan Maule also star, form ing the Greek Chorus and acting - as assorted members of the family and the community throughout the flashbacks. During the interview. The Herald asked Roten to elaborate on his favorite part of directing How I Learned to Drive. He replied, “My favorite experience thus far has been exploring this beautiful and messy piece of theatre. Its form is masterful, and at times the play wright makes a socially-awkward situation very funny. The beautiful ly-drawn characters are, however, the biggest draw to the work. Vogel creates fully three-dimensional characters that don’t offer easy answers to the questions that the play poses.” So what does the produc tion team anticipate that the gen eral public will achieve by attending the show? Roten shares his per sonal hope “that the audience walks away from the performance with a feeling that ‘everything will be Sara Croninger in How I Learned to Drive alright,’ that through hardship and the ugliness that life can throw your way, we can learn from everything that we encounter and grow from the experience.” How I Learned to Drive will run April 13-18,2010, in the Studio Theatre underneath Jones Audi torium, with 8:00 pm shows April 13-17 and an afternoon matinee at 3:00 pm on April 18. Tickets ire free for all Meredith faculty, staff, and students. Public tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and se niors. To reserve tickets, call the Box Office at 760-2840 or email them at boxoffice@meredith.edu. Love and Other Angel Antics m What’s Up In Raleigh I Summer time is just around the corner (I promise it.s coming!), and we all know summer days are the perfect backdrop for falling in love or rekin dling what ive already have. Here is a list of fun, eutc, and simple ways to enjoy the sweet company of your significant other. 1. Go for a walk at dusk through the city, on a beach, or in the woods. The temperature will be just perfect, and you will catch a sunset! 2. Learn a new' hobby together such as kite flying or fishing. Trying new' things together is a great way to bond and grow together. 3. Grab a GPS, jump in the car, drive, get lost somew'hcre, and use the ' GPS to get you back to your original destination. Don't do an%1:hing too ^ crazy or dangerous! 4. Take a random road trip to an obscure place you never thought you - would visit. 5. Go to a local performer’s concert. There won't be many people, but i the atmoshphere created at these shows is absolutely priceless, and the ' music is always great. / The list of summer date ideas could go on and on, but the.se are just a few suggestions. Most importantly, adore each other's company enjoy every .second you spend together! And if you don't liavc a sw eetie for the sum- , don't be down on \ ourself, do all of these with your best friend! 4/2/2010 - 5/7/2010, STACKS & SPILLS by artist James Henkel at Artspace 4/7/2010, History Corner: Making Music at the NC Museum of Histoiy 4/9/2010, Green Frame: An Exposition in Reclaimed Materials at the Raleigh City’Museum 4/10/2010, R-LINE Gourmet Food Tour, Dow’utown Raleigh 4/10/2010, Raleigh Civic Symphony Chamber Players: New Deal Music, NC Museum of Histoiy 4/10/2010, Bluegrass & Barbeque, NC Museum of Natural Sciences 4/10/2010 - 4/18/2010, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Memorial Auditorium at Progress Energy Center
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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April 7, 2010, edition 1
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