Currents
Closeup: MSU Theatre to present play about sexual abuse
MANKATO — Having won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1998, “How I Learned to Drive” certainly made an impact when it was first produced by Vineyard Theatre in New York City in February, 1997.
Focusing on themes of pedophilia, incest and control, Mary-Louise Parker played to critical acclaim a young girl who faces her abuser and takes her life back.
Katharine Moeller will take on the same role on the Andreas Theatre stage at Minnesota State University. The play opens tonight, followed by a discussion on issues of sexual violence by representatives from the Committee Against Domestic Abuse (CADA), the Minnesota State Women’s Center and the Sexual Violence Resource Center.
The play, written by Paula Vogel, is about a sexual relationship between Li’l Bit and her aunt’s husband, Uncle Peck. Growing up in rural Maryland in the 1960s, Uncle Peck gives Li’l Bit a driving lesson at age 11. However, he uses the opportunity to molest her.
The molestation continues over years and, at one point, he takes provocative pictures of her in his studio. Uncle Peck continues to give her driving lessons, during which she develops feelings of control she gets from no other source in life.
It isn’t until the age of 18 that Li’l Bit finally puts a stop to the abuse, severing the relationship.
The play is directed by John Olive, a first-year Master of Fine Arts candidate who appeared in “Bus Stop.” Doug Bennett, an MFA candidate in design/technology who designed the set for “Bus Stop,” plays Uncle Peck.”
If you go
What
MSU Theatre & Dance presents “How I Learned to Drive”
When
7:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday in Andreas Theatre
A discussion will follow the show tonight.
Tickets
$9 for adults, $8 for seniors and youth ages 16 and younger, and $7 for MSU students.
Call 389-6661 for more information.
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The results are in.
Every year, we at The Free Press poll our readership. We want to know where you eat, where you take in a show, where you take the fam’ when they’re in town to show off the Mankato area to outsiders, and so on.
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The results are in.
Every year, we at The Free Press poll our readership. We want to know where you eat, where you take in a show, where you take the fam’ when they’re in town to show off the Mankato area to outsiders, and so on.
From Nov. 25 through Dec. 18, readers voted for their favorites in four categories: Activities and Entertainment; Food and Drinks; Services; and Shopping. You certainly had your opinions, and we like that.
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