The thrilling Broadway premiere of Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece How I Learned to Drive reunites the original stars with their award-winning director for a new production. Tony Award® winner Mary-Louise Parker (The Sound Inside, Proof) and Tony nominee David Morse (The Iceman Cometh) are joined by Tony Award® nominee and original cast member Johanna Day, Alyssa May Gold, and Chris Myers in this remarkably timely and moving memory play about a woman coming to terms with a charismatic uncle who impacts her past, present and future life. Directing is Mark Brokaw (Heisenberg).
Though there may be some imperfect elements, it is hard to have anything but praise for this piece. It is clear that the focus was on Parker and Morse's performances, and they so superbly showcase that this play is a masterpiece. How I Learned to Drive is one of those plays, like Fefu and Her Friends or Cloud Nine, that have been canonized, anthologized, and taught in so many drama classes, but are infrequently produced. I felt blessed and honored to get to see it here in person. In fact, we should all feel fortunate to see Vogel's ingenious play on stage and to see it so beautifully performed by the divine Mary-Louise Parker. This play is a gift, and we are lucky to receive it. I hope this begins a trend of much more Vogel, indeed.
Vogel and producers also know on what side of the acting and directing their bread is buttered. Twenty-five years later and on Rachel Hauck's attractively economical set, Parker remains the 17-year-old (and then some) she was then. Remarkable! Her version of innocence assailed and fighting back is acting at a zenith. Morse's driven Peck, woefully at odds with a man's instincts for civility, matches Parker. In their many appearances, Gold, Myers, and especially Day during her imbibing moments prove their worth.
1997 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway |
2012 | Off-Broadway |
Second Stage Theatre Production Off-Broadway |
2022 | Broadway |
Manhattan Theatre Club Broadway Premiere Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | How I Learned to Drive |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Awards | David Morse |
2022 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play | How I Learned To Drive |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | How I Learned to Drive |
2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Special Achievement Awards | Johanna Day |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play | David Morse |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Mary-Louise Parker |
2022 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | How I Learned to Drive |
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