Headout logo. Link to home.
Help
how i learned to drive-2

How I Learned to Drive Tickets

    Immerse yourself in Paula Vogel’s incredibly smart and twisted narrative that takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride of memories and emotions!

    Why You Should Watch How I Learned to Drive

    Shortly after it premiered at the Vineyard Theatre Off-Broadway in March of 1997, How I Learned to Drive won Vogel a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is centered around the ideas of manipulation, sexual deviance, incest, pedophilia, and misogyny. The entire story is presented in a non-linear fashion, with the protagonist’s memories arranged in a seemingly random order. The play was inspired by Vladamir Nabokov’s famous work – Lolita.

    This year’s production of How I Learned to Drive will premiere at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre with a stellar cast consisting of Tony Award winning actress Mary-Louise Parker and Drama Desk Award-winner David Morse of The Iceman Cometh fame.

    The Story

    The play follows the story of a young woman nicknamed ‘Li’l Bit’ who struggles to overcome a sexually abusive relationship that she shares with her Uncle during her early teenage years. As a ‘memory play’, the sequence of events is thoroughly muddled, but this adds its own degree of depth to the story. A Greek Chorus functions as all the remaining characters in the play. The first scene is set in a small parking lot somewhere in the Maryland countryside. In this memory, Li’l Bit is seventeen. As Uncle Peck unhooks Li’l Bit’s brassiere through her shirt, she begins to feel uncomfortable. She tries to talk about graduation and college, but her uncle pays no heed; choosing instead to admire his niece's body. The rest of the memories are a series of incidents during the girl’s childhood that led to this moment. The audience is shown how Uncle Peck, being a child predator, groomed his prey over the years by teaching her how to drive. The process of learning how to drive is presented as an analog to Uncle Peck’s paedophilic advances.

    Good For

    Fans of Paula Vogel | Adult Audiences

    Reviews

    “Vogel guides you step by excruciating step through the relationship, creating a how it happened reflection by sardonically mimicking the tutorials of driving manuals.”

    Cancellation policy

    These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

    Show Details

    Show Timings

    Tue, Wed 7:00 PM
    Thu, Fri, Sat 8:00 PM
    Wed, Sat, Sun 2:00 PM

    Duration
    TBA

    Cast
    Mary-Louise Parker as Li’l Bit
    David Morse as Uncle Peck

    Director
    Mark Brokaw

    Important Information
    Photo and video recording are not allowed during the show.

    Additional Information

    Audience
    Suitable for ages 12 and above. No entry for children below age 4.

    Available Facilities
    Wheelchair Accessible
    In-house Bar
    Coat Check

    Seating
    The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre has a seating capacity of 622.

    Outside Food
    Strictly prohibited. If you'd like to grab a meal before or after the show, check out our guide to the 30 Best Restaurants in the Theater District.

    Dress Code
    Smart and casual wear is recommended. Keep in mind, the theater is air conditioned throughout the year and can get a bit chilly.

    Your e-tickets can be exchanged for physical tickets with our uniformed Headout hosts outside the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

    Missing any information?

    Similar experiences you'd love

    summit one vanderbilt tickets-1
    Landmarks
    SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Tickets
    Instant confirmation
    4.4
    Rated 4.44 out of 5.0 from 2439 reviews.
    from $42.99
    Free cancellation
    9/11 memorial & museum tickets-1
    Museums
    9/11 Memorial & Museum Tickets
    Instant confirmation
    4.6
    Rated 4.57 out of 5.0 from 2770 reviews.
    $33
    the lion king-1
    Musicals
    The Lion King
    Instant confirmation
    4.6
    Rated 4.57 out of 5.0 from 1389 reviews.
    from $116
    mj the musical-1
    Musicals
    MJ The Musical
    Instant confirmation
    4.8
    Rated 4.76 out of 5.0 from 110 reviews.
    from $87
    aladdin-1
    Musicals
    Aladdin
    4.5
    Rated 4.49 out of 5.0 from 2526 reviews.
    from $73

    World at your tap.

    Get the Headout app to get tickets on your phone and access app-only deals. Talk about win-win.
    iphone

    We've served 20 million+ guests and we are here for you

    20 million +

    Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences

    4.4/5

    5,000+ verified reviews with 90% excellent score

    In the Media

    Featured and recommended by the best brands

    24 x 7 Help Center

    Have a question? Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime