How I Learned to Drive/Electra-Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theatre

Two families. Two young women. Two thousand years apart.

The University of Miami's Department of Theater Arts presents

Electra and How I Learned to Drive from February 15 – February 26

at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre.

At the center of this season's repertory plays are two young women

grappling with the horror of their own family's embrace.

These timeless stories are told with the ancient echo of a Greek chorus and the nostalgic doo-whop of a car radio. Two plays, similar in theme but wildly different in style resonate across time.... A vast Texas landscape. A modern dynasty crumbling. A young woman's obsession with her father's brutal murder. She will pay any price to avenge his assassination. Electra is a story that has fascinated dramatists since Euripides and Sophocles. In this new adaptation by Jennifer Vellenga, the power of family relationships and the passion of human conviction are explored through the perspective of a society that is supposed to be based on freedom, law and justice. This premiere production promises to be a dynamic evening of theatre- staggeringly relevant to our own times-and as fresh, vibrant and controversial as when it was first dramatized by the greatest of tragedians.

How I Learned to Drive is a wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubled relationship between a young girl and an older man. Winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize and co-winner of the 1998 Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding play, the critics have fêted this play with extraordinary reviews. "How I Learned to Drive is a tremendous achievement, genuine and genuinely disturbing. This is, quite simply, the sweetest and most forgiving play ever written about child abuse,"" raves the Village Voice. ""Ms Vogel has written a lovely, harrowing guide to the crippling persistence of one woman's memories,"" writes The New York Times. "The play is a potent and convincing comment on a taboo subject, and its impact sneaks up on its audience," says Variety. (For mature audiences.)

The Ring is offering a special "Two for One" offer: buy admission for one play and see the other play for free. Admission is $16 for weeknights and matinees. Friday and Saturday nights is $18. Discount admission for seniors, UM faculty, staff, and alumni is $14 for weeknights and matinees and $16 for Friday and Saturday night showings. Student admission is $6 on weeknights and matinees and $8 for Friday and Saturday night. Show dates for How I Learned to Drive are February 15, 17, 23,and 25 at 8 p.m.; February 18 and 26 at 2 p.m. Electra: February 16,18, 22, and 24 at 8:00 p.m.; February 19 and 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale starting at noon on Monday, February 6. For more information, contact the box office Monday – Friday between 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 305-284-3355, or visit www.miami.edu/ring .  The Jerry Herman Ring Theatre is located at 1312 Miller Drive on the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, has handicapped parking, and offers free infrared hearing devices. Parking is free and plentiful adjacent to the theatre.

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