Photo Flash: Mary-Louise Parker & David Morse to Reunite in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE Reading

The Vineyard Theatre will present a one-night-only reading of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize- winning play HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE on Monday, July 1st at 8:00 PM. Reuniting for the first time since its celebrated premiere at The Vineyard in 1997 will be the original company: Mary-Louise Parker as "L'il Bit," David Morse as "Uncle Peck," JohAnna Day, Kerry O'Malley and Justin Hagan. The reading, staged by the production's original director, Mark Brokaw, will take place at The Vineyard Theatre, located at 108 E. 15 Street.

Directed by Mr. Brokaw, The Vineyard production of HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE transferred to a successful commercial run Off-Broadway, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, OBIE, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Lucille Lortel, and NY Drama Critics Awards for Best Play. The New York Times called DRIVE "a heartbreaking and wonderful new play . . . that startles at every turn. The play is angry and compassionate, light-handed and devastating." The Village Voice raved that it was "Stunning...an extraordinary play. One of the most gripping stories told on the stage in years."

The reading of HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE is the last in a series of special events in celebration of The Vineyard's 30th anniversary. Over the past season, readings of other renowned Vineyard world premieres, including FULLY COMMITTED, PTERODACTYLS, A BOY AND HIS SOUL, and THE DYING GAUL were held.

Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies, is thrilled to be celebrating its 30th anniversary. Dedicated to developing and producing bold new plays and musicals, the company has consistently developed and premiered provocative, groundbreaking works, including Kander, Ebb and Thompson's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Marx, Lopez and Whitty'sAVENUE Q, Bell and Bowen's [TITLE OF SHOW]; Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (1998 Pulitzer Prize), Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN (1994 Pulitzer Prize); Tarrell Alvin McCrainey'sWIG OUT!; Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN; and new works by Julia Cho, Adam Rapp, Christopher Shinn, Gina Gionfriddo, Ben Katchor and Mark Mulcahy, and many more. The Vineyard's productions have been honored with two Pulitzer Prizes, three Tony Awards, and numerous Drama Desk, OBIES, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards.

The Vineyard's leadership includes Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director; Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, Executive Producer; Sarah Stern, Co-Artistic Director, and Michael Page, General Manager.

For VIP access to the reunion reading of HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, please call (212) 353-3366 x242 or email development@vineyardtheatre.org. Proceeds from the reading benefits The Vineyard's productions and programs.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg