This month, Attic Salt Theater presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama How I Learned to Drive at 35below in downtown Asheville, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., from November 4–20. The play, written by renowned playwright Paula Vogel, tells the story of a teenage girl, her damaging relationship with her uncle, and how she learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel. Despite heavy subject matter, How I Learned to Drive is wildly funny and surprising.
“This show will be our first in Asheville that skews toward drama,” says Jeff Catanese, Attic Salt Theatre’s artistic director. “Even though many of our productions have contained dramatic elements, and even though How I Learned to Drive has much comedy, this will be the first that is a straight dramatic piece. It’s a tough one, and most smaller theaters shy away from it, but we feel it needs to be produced and seen by the Asheville audiences.”
Bringing live performances to the Asheville area since 2013, Attic Salt Theatre is committed to well-written plays and this, one of the most acclaimed of the 20th century, definitely fits the bill. According to Catanese, upon reading the script, every member of the company agreed they had to do the production.
“I hope audiences take away an honest experience, whether it’s good, bad or ugly,” says cast member Trinity Smith Keel, “and that we can get the story across in a way that maybe even makes them think about their own stories and experiences—and have some good laughs while they’re at it!”
35below is at 35 East Walnut Street, Asheville. Seating is general admission. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at ashevilletheatre.org or by calling 828.254.1320.
