Skip to Content

How I Learned to Drive

by Paula Vogel

directed by Cody Estle

February 7 – March 24

Thursday, February 7 at 7:30 pm
Run Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes

Rural Maryland, 1960s. From behind the wheel of a ‘56 Chevy, a woman named Li’l Bit navigates the tangled boulevards of her adolescence, reflecting on her complex and troubling relationship with her family. But old secrets and fresh discoveries abound as she struggles to accept her past and the demons that live there.

Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece makes its return to Chicago, featuring Eliza Stoughton as Li’l Bit. An artful, surprising, and often-funny memory play that explores how we are shaped by the people who hurt us.

Content Advisory: Contains scenes and depictions of familial sexual abuse and pedophilia.


 

Watch the Trailer

Reviews

  • "Stoughton and Ulrich are mesmerizing."

    Sarah Katherine Bowden, Windy City Times
  • "If you’ve never seen Vogel’s masterwork before, you owe it to yourself to see this production. If you have, Estle manages to mine new depths from a powerful script."

    Karen Topham, Chicago On Stage
  • Raven Theatre Chicago Raven Theatre Chicago Raven Theatre Chicago

    "Vogel's story unspools with sensitivity."

    Kerry Reid, The Chicago Tribune
  • "Vogel could not have guessed in 1997 how vital this literally driving drama would prove to be today. Raven Theatre has done us proud by restoring its horrors and its healing."

    Lawrence Bommer, Stage & Cinema
  • "Estle’s work with this cast is the true strength of this production, creating a sense of unity and clarity in the tight-knit ensemble."

    Ben Kaye, Newcity Stage

Cast

Eliza Stoughton* as Li’l Bit
Mark Ulrich* as Uncle Peck
Julian Hester as Male Greek Chorus
Kathryn Acosta as Female Greek Chorus
Katherine Bourne Taylor as Teenage Greek Chorus

* Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Associate, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

Understudies

Sophie Scanlon for Li’l Bit
Terry Gallagher for Uncle Peck
Adam Cole for Male Greek Chorus
Danielle Wheeler for Female Greek Chorus
Claudia Iao for Teenage Greek Chorus

Creative Team

Director Cody Estle
Associate Director Kristen Johnson
Set Designer Jeffrey D. Kmiec
Costume Designer Theresa Ham
Asst. Costume Designer Ian Liberman
Lighting Designer Becca Jeffords
Sound Designer Josh Schmidt
Asst. Sound Designer Colin Kovarik
Projections Designer Tony Churchill
Props Designer Abbie Cain
Dialect Coach Kathy Logelin
Technical Director Alan Weusthoff
Scenic Artist Eileen Rozycki
Master Electrician Andy Kloubec
Intimacy Director Rachel Flesher
Stage Manager Mara Sagal
Production Manager Cole von Glahn
Asst. Director Chris Farrell
Asst. Stage Manager Wilhelm Peters

Audience Events