Award-winning Workhouse Theatre presents award-winning How I Learned to Drive in May
CAPTION: Li'l Bit (Jaime Kleiman) and Uncle Peck (Michael Jurenek) in the Workhouse Theatre Play, How I Learned to Drive. Photo by Dan Hylton.
May 1 is the opening date for Workhouse Theatre production of Paula Vogel's 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning Drama, How I Learned to Drive. This comes almost one full year after they performed the similarly recognized ‘night, Mother (1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama), which garnered the up-and-coming company a Twin Cities Ivey Award for "Overall Excellence in Theatre."
Described by The New York Times as "a lovely, harrowing guide to the crippling persistence of one woman's memories," How I Learned to Drive is a funny, surprising, and devastating story of survival as seen through the lens of a young girl, Li'l Bit, who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel. The play takes audiences on a journey down the bumpy roads of rural Maryland to deliver a story of survival and forgiveness.
The production introduces a talented collection of Twin Cities theater performers to the Workhouse stage, including Jaime Kleiman and Michael Jurenek in the prominent roles of ‘Lil Bit and (the ever-present and eerily tender) Uncle Peck, respectively. Also, assuming a variety of roles that chronicle the ‘Lil Bit's growth to womanhood, is the "Greek Chorus" trio of Kristen Bucko, Josh Vogen and Linda Sue Anderson. Anderson, a Camden resident, has been steadily working in the Twin Cities theatre scene over the past few years and earning a string of impressive critical reviews in the process. She was last seen in a Workhouse Theatre production when her portrayal of "Mama" in a staged reading of (somewhat ironically) ‘night, Mother helped earn the performance a standing ovation in 2006.
Steven Bucko is making his Workhouse Theatre directorial debut for How I Learned to Drive, though he saw action onstage at The Warren as recently as March, when he portrayed numerous characters including the lovable, forlorn mutt, Rusty, in Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children. In 2007, Bucko portrayed the fiery acrobat, Scapino, in Workhouse Theatre's commedia dell' arte offering, A Company of Wayward Saints.
How I Learned to Drive is receiving a notable contribution to the funding of its production by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). Workhouse Theatre has been the beneficiary of MRAC funding for the past two years. In this instance, the council is providing funds specifically to assist with the production expenses for How I Learned to Drive, recognizing Workhouse Theatre'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 opens on Friday, May 1, and runs for 10 performances over three weekends; May 1-4; March 7-9; and March 14-16. Monday, May 4 is pay-what-you-will night, and both Thursdays, (March 7 and March 14) are the ever-popular ‘Camden Night' (two tickets for $15, just for mentioning "the Camden Night discount" at the door). Tickets for all other performances are $10 paid in advance or $12 at the door ($8/$10 for students and seniors). Purchase at www.workhouse theatre.org or reserve at 612-386-5763. All performances are at The Warren (4400 Osseo Road), and curtain time is 7:30 p.m. for all shows except for a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 4.
Workhouse Theatre's 2008-2009 season is made possible, in part, by season sponsorships from Papa's Restaurant & Deli, Steamworks Coffee and Tea Company, Camden Pet Hospital, and Northwest Minneapolis Business Association.