How I Learned to Drive

I saw How I Learned to Drive this week at the Cleveland Play House.  It's a Pulitzer winning play from 1998.  The protagonist, Little Bit, takes us on a non-sequential ride through her memories of how she was groomed for pedophilia by her Uncle Peck with touches of humor and a Greek chorus.  The 1960's driving video clips are used to indicate what direction in time the clips are occurring.

We always go to the pre-show talk.  Our seat neighbors did not, and I overheard them say, "I think I know exactly what this is about!"  I decided to enlighten them a little so the subject wouldn't be a complete shock if they were expecting a light romp about 1960's driving school.  I recommend listening to this interview about the show.  It offers some insight into the second lead.

It's been a year of very emotionally hard hitting theater for me.   A Great Wilderness, Wait Until Dark, Body Awareness, and Fun Home all have deeply intense subjects.   I find myself thinking back of the events of this play.  I wonder how anyone could do such a thing and perpetuate a cycle of abuse.

Wait Until Dark

Last night we saw Wait Until Dark at Great Lakes Theater.  That was thrilling!   Three con men try to pull a fast one on a blind woman.   They use the standard battery of tricks, which our protagonist, Susie, notices because of her acute hearing.   Extremely exciting play that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

A Great Wilderness

I saw A Great Wilderness at the Beck Center this past Sunday.   It's a good play, but not a happy one.   It's about gay conversation therapy camps.   I left feeling angry about the intolerance and lack of empathy in the world.  It's tough, but you should see it.   Good lessons to be learned.  In a way, it reminds me of Thais, in which two characters switch world views.

I feel the most terrible for the women in marriages with "cured" husbands who never loved them.

The King and I

I saw the King and I this past Sunday at Playhouse Square.   Gorgeous costumes and nice use of the set.  The cast was actually mostly Asians.   All excellent in execution.  I guess I'm just not a Rogers and Hammerstein fan.  I loved Cinderella because of the new book and modernity injected into it.  This was classic.   And I definitely prefer newer shows with more up tempo plots.   I didn't hate it.  It was just not my style.