News release  Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061  publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Angey Saucier  Date: 4/22/04    “HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE” OPENS AT VONNIE BORDEN THEATRE APRIL 27       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University Theatre will close out the spring 2004 season with Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “How I Learned to Drive” April 27-May1 at Vonnie Borden Theatre.       A wildly funny, surprising, devastating and out-of-order tale of survival, “How I Learned to Drive” is seen through the eyes of Li'l Bit, who is caught in a crude, coarse family that just doesn’t fit her. She recalls the older man, her Uncle Peck, whose disturbing obsession with her leads her to terrible, sordid, unforgivable situations. By teaching Li’l Bit to rely on her wits, Uncle Peck provides the means for her to escape her family but wounds her forever. The question for the audience is can she ever really drive fast enough to escape him?        Vogel comments that “How I Learned to Drive” is not a warning that the people who love us can also do great harm, but shows that “we can receive great love from the people who harm us.”        The production is rated R due to content.       The story of a young woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the steering wheel won the author a Pulitzer Prize in 1998. The play has also garnished many other awards, including the Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics Circle and Obie awards for best play.       Starring in the Southeastern Theatre production of “How I Learned to Drive” are Whitney Allen of Hammond as Li'l Bit, Josh Tillotson of Hammond as Uncle Peck, Daniel Thomas of Ponchatoula as the Male Greek Chorus, and Shiloh Klein of Ponchatoula and Maya Ferrara of Zachary as the Teenage Greek Chorus. Set design is by David Badon of Hammond, lighting by Southeastern Theatre director and dramatic arts faculty member Steve Schepker, and costumes by faculty member Rick Walsh.       Directing the production is music and dramatic arts instructor Selisa Hue, and stage manager is Amanda Pulliam of Mandeville. Serving as assistant stage managers and understudies are Erin Klein of Hammond and Shawn Curry of Luling.        Nightly curtain time for “How I Learned to Drive” is 7:30 p.m. Tickets prices are $10 adults; $5 seniors/fac/staff/non-SLU students; and SLU students free with ID. Tickets are currently on sale at the theater box office, 985-549-2115, in the lobby of D Vickers Hall. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 6:15 p.m. to curtain time on performance nights.        For additional information about “How I Learned to Drive,” contact the department of music and dramatic arts, 985-549-2184.