Marla Brown plays Li'l Bit in "How I Learned to Drive." (Christine Walts photo)

Group names artistic director, seeks actors for ‘West Side Story’

Ohlman-Roberge

Davidson Community Players has added show for Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “How I Learned to Drive,” which opens this Thursday, March 19, at the Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St.

Also, In other Davidson theater news:

• Davidson Community Players have named Melissa Ohlman-Roberge as artistic director, a promotion for the longtime resident director and children’s theater artistic director.
• Auditions are planned today at 4 p.m for Latino actors 16-21 for the players June production of West Side Story.
• Davidson College producing Sondheim musical “Company”

SHOWS ADDED FOR ‘HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE’

Davidson Community Players has added two April shows to the run of its next production, “How I Learned to Drive,” which opens this week.

The play is noteworthy for its many awards, including the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for drama. Its initial off-Broadway run lasted 14 months. The play also was awarded an Obie, a Drama Desk Award, a New York Drama Critics’ Award, an Outer Circle Critics Award, and the Lucille Lortel Award.

“How I Learned to Drive” explores pedophilia, a subject that has  had little treatment onstage. DCP executive director Cindy Rice said the subject is a serious one. “It’s certainly a departure from the normal productions we do. But it’s a worthy play,” she said.

In a series of flashbacks, protagonist Li’l Bit (played by Marla Brown) recalls her seven-year sexual relationship with her Uncle Peck (played by Tom Scott). Though the subject matter is serious, the play is surprisingly funny due to Ms. Vogel’s deft handling of the material. It is apparent from the outset that Li’l Bit did more than just survive; she is clearly a confident adult.

Other cast members include Amanda Roberge, Christian Love and Tory Macomson.

Directed by Mark Sutch, “How I Learned to Drive” runs through March 29 in Davidson Community Players’ new Armour Street Theatre. Mr. Sutch is a visiting assistant theater professor at Davidson College who teaches acting, directing, play analysis and introduction to theater. He recently directed “Hamlet” at Davidson College, and in 2007 directed “Rounding Third” for Davidson Community Players.

Shows are March 19-21, 26-28, and April 2-3 at 8 p.m., and Sundays March 22 and 29 at 2 p.m., Tickets are $15 to $17, available by phone at 704.892.7918 and online through www.carolinatix.org. The play is for mature audiences.

PROMOTION FOR OHLMAN-ROBERGE

Davidson Community Players has taken another big step in its growth: the Davidson-based troupe has promoted Melissa Ohlman-Roberge to the new position of artistic director, director Cindy Rice says.

Ms. Ohlman-Roberge has been resident director at the company and artistic director of The Connie Company, the Players’ children’s theater group.

In the new job, she will be “tasked with charting the course for our entire company,” Ms. Rice said. “For a community theater group to reach a point where it is able to have an artistic director is really a milestone,” Ms. Rice said.

‘COMPANY’ AT DAVIDSON

– First-year student Ryan Chiles receives advice from all sides about his love life in playing Bobby, the lead character in Davidson College’s upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company.”

Davidson College’s theater and music departments will stage their first joint production in two decades later this month when the curtain goes up on Stephen Sondheim’s “Company.”

General admission tickets are $15, and $11 for seniors. Show times are 8 p.m. on March 27-28, 2 p.m. on March 29, 7:30 p.m. on April 2, and 8 p.m. on April 3-4, all in Duke Family Performance Hall. For ticket information, call 704-894-2135 or visit www.davidson.edu/tickets. Company contains adult language and content; recommended for ages 14 and up.

THEATER CALENDAR

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 4 p.m., Armour Street Theater, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players holds ensemble auditions for Latino actors and actresses who can play characters between ages 16 to 21 for its upcoming production of “West Side Story.” Prepare a song that shows off your voice, bring sheet music in the proper key, accompanist provided. A prepared one-minute monologue is optional. Please bring a recent picture if possible. For information, contact Cindy Rice at 704-892-7953 or visit www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

MARCH 19-April 3, Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St. – Davidson Community Players present “How I Learned to Drive,” by Paula Vogel. Performances: March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m., March 22 & 29 at 2 p.m. Extra shows added April 2-3 at 8 p.m.  A wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. Includes mature themes. Tickets: Adults $17; Students and Seniors (65 & above) $15. Reservations: 704-892-7918.

MARCH 27-APRIL 4, Davidson College Duke Family Performance Hall – Davidson’s departments of music and theater present “Company,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth. Directed by Davidson theater professor Ann Marie Costa. This Tony Award-winning Broadway show follows a committed bachelor named Robert, his married friends and his girlfriends. On the night of his 35th birthday he faces a dilemma: Hold onto himself, or lose himself in a long-term relationship. Tickets $15 general admission, $11 seniors, faculty/staff $9, students $6. Details on the college website.