We enter a black box set with a projected road on the ground with two chairs. We’re met with Li’l Bit (Eliza Stoughton) taking sus through memory lane in rural Maryland in the 1960’s -- before all the strip malls. In Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive, directed by Cody Estelle, we’re taken back to memories of Li’l Bit’s formative years in what this reporter can only describe as an intro via trigger warning to those sensitive to stories of sexual abuse (which it this story’s trigger warning, by the way).
The 5 - actor cast shape shifts into different characters throughout the play, surrounding Li’l Bit, Peck (Mark Ulrich) and her relationship to her family. Quirky familiar humor envelops the looming family dysfunction, securing us safely through Li’l Bit’s early adolescence to her young adulthood. Driver’s ed themed projections lead us through her story. As the title suggests, we’re led along an intimate unfolding of private driving lessons laced with inappropriate encounters.
What struck this reporter’s attention the most was the ability for this capsule cast to transport us over decades, and provide us with a sense of knowing on every corner of the family’s history. We’re able to witness the continuous disorientation, deterioration and rebuilding of identity throughout Li’l Bit’s young adulthood.
Raven Theatre Production Should Be Considered with Trigger Warning
This play is best suited for those looking to take a journey through a lesser discussed difficult topic in the family structure. Again, those triggered by such topics should steer clear, perhaps until proper support is included in the production.
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Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
Cast:
Kathryn Acosta (Female Greek Chorus), Julian Hester (Male Greek Chorus), Eliza Stoughton (Li’l Bit), Katherine Bourne Taylor (Teenage Greek Chorus) and Mark Ulrich (Uncle Peck).
Crew:
Playwright: Paula Vogel
Director: Artistic Director Cody Estle
When:
Thru March 24
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 3 pm.
WHERE:
Raven Theatre East Stage
6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville)
Chicago
If there are no Goldstar Discounts when you click above, make sure to check the visit Raven Theatre’s website to find out the full-price ticket availability.
Photos by Michael Brosilow
Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
About the Author:
Brittany Harlin is the founding artistic director of Chicago Urban Dance Collective and 2017 recipient of the Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Award. Her influences are Hip Hop and Modern Dance Pioneers. In addition to company work, her dancing and choreography has been featured at Ragdale Foundation, Links Hall, Elastic Arts, Aragon Ballroom, DRAMA Duo Music Productions, Black Ensemble Theatre, and Hip Hop International.
Brittany’s focus is Hip Hop, Modern, Funk Styles, Waacking, and House, combined with growing knowledge of somatics and kinesiology, all through the concert dance lens. Her goal is to bring dance education to a place of complete body awareness, spiritual expression, and connection. Brittany hopes to establish her practice in expressive therapy, creating opportunities, and inclusiveness.
Her teaching artist pedagogy & philosophy are weighted in respecting the integrity of the vernacular movement, by sharing what she’s been taught from respected community members - and stopping exactly there. She relates those concepts to personal natural movement, and the energy of the dancers she’s working with. Her goal is to create solidarity between diverse backgrounds, conducive to the essence and intention of The Hip Hop Socio-Political Movement. Harlin’s passion in dance extends to her community as she has launched her most recent endeavor of teaching professionalism and industry standards to aspiring professional dancers.
When Brittany isn’t dancing, she is supplementing her work with her passions for poetry and songwriting. She’s been referred to as a fawn and a hippie on multiple, separate occasions.
Click here to read more Picture this Post stories by Brittany Harlin.
