Q&A with Shelley Little ('Mother') in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE

TIC Theater is thrilled to produce a 3-week run this fall of How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel, running Oct. 17-19, 24-26, 31-Nov. 2 at 8 pm at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios (244 W. 54 St., 12th Fl.).  Tickets are $18 online and 212-868-4444.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play follows precocious Li'l Bit's formative teenage years in rural Maryland in the 1960s.  Her mother's wit and wisdom proves prescient, but what teenager ever does exactly what she's told?

We sat down with actor Shelley Little ('Mother') to talk escapes, driving standard and the pivotal role this play had on her life as an actor.

What's your favorite place to escape to, and why?

Shelley Little

When I was in high school, I volunteered at the science center on weekends, doing demonstrations on the power of tornados and the history of technology. After a year or two, I was given the very grown-up job of narrating shows in the planetarium. I loved to sit in the cool dark quiet of the planetarium for a few minutes before I would let guests in for my show and at the end of the day after the crowds left. At sixteen, teaching elementary school groups about the skies felt like a lot of responsibility and I loved it.

I guess that place just made me feel special and adult! I wish I could still go there to get away!

Who taught YOU to drive?

My first boyfriend taught me how to drive a standard. We would circle parking lots and I would terrorize the clutch on his ancient Dodge Colt (does anyone even remember those cars existed?) Eventually he got a new car and I inherited the Colt for about a year before it died forever. The first time I drove it alone was on college campus after an Ohio State Football game. I was driving down a packed street where I hit a red light every second block. I stalled out over and over. It was frustrating for me and all the sports fans around me. At one light, I must have stalled a dozen times -- enough that a police officer walked up to my window and asked if I needed help. I was most likely a little hysterical. We figured out I was putting the car in third gear instead of first.

After that lesson, I've been pretty pro and prefer driving standard, but that was not my best day.


How did you first come to know the play?

The motel room scene in this play was the first scene I performed in an acting class, when I was eighteen, Lil Bit's age in the scene. I remember chugging a glass of real champagne (my first), and when I asked Uncle Peck for more, I was choking and coughing. My teacher loved it and laughed. He told me I should audition for the next show at OSU, and I did. So in a way, this play is the reason I'm an actor! I'm very excited to have the opportunity to work on the entire piece, with such a talented group of people.

Come see the sensational Shelley as 'Mother' this fall at the Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios!

TIC is thrilled to have sold out its last 2 seasons of plays, so please do buy your ticket in advance.  http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=HOW27

For more about the cast, crew, and Tongue in Cheek, please visit www.tictheater.com and like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/tictheater

Q&A with Michael Edmund ('Big Papa') in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE

TIC Theater is thrilled to produce a 3-week run this fall of How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel, running Oct. 17-19, 24-26, 31-Nov. 2 at 8 pm at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios (244 W. 54 St., 12th Fl.).  Tickets are $18 online and 212-868-4444.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play follows precocious Li'l Bit's formative teenage years in rural Maryland in the 1960s.  Li'l Bit finds herself constantly ogled by men: from her lewd grandfather Big Papa, to disapproving waiters, and boys at school.

How I (Really) Learned to Drive by Michael Edmund ('Big Papa')

I was born and raised in Manhattan. One of the disadvantages of being a teenager in New York City is that a young person can't get a learner's permit to drive until they're 18. (I think it's a little different now but that's the way it was in the 70's).

When I was 17 my family moved to Minneapolis—to help with my ailing grandmother's business. I was in the 12th grade then—and the only 12th grader who didn't know how to drive. I was forced to take driver's ed with a bunch of 9th graders. This was embarrassing to say the least. But since I was 17 I was able to go right into the driver's program once I passed my written test.

Well: the 6 hours behind the wheel training was nothing short of a disaster. I had never been behind a wheel before—and the instructor—Mr. Berg—had never had to deal with such an inexperienced student. I would confuse the accelerator with the brakes, the turn signals with the windshield wipers and as for parallel parking—the less said the better.

My teacher wasn't very encouraging: he bluntly told me that in 29 years of teaching I was the worst student he ever had. But somehow we got through the 6 hours and miraculously I passed the road test on my first try. (Mr. Berg claimed I passed because the instructor giving the test never wanted to see me again.) And for the next several years I drove pretty much without incident. (Well there was that time when I smashed into a parked car, but I really don't want to get into that.)

I haven't owned a car since 1977, and being back in NY I really can't say I miss it. I still rent cars when I'm visiting friends out of town, but I hate driving and I really hate parallel parking. (I love valet parking, however.)

See the marvelous Michael as 'Big Papa' this fall at the Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios.

TIC is thrilled to have sold out its last 2 seasons of plays, so please do buy your ticket in advance.  http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=HOW27

For more about the cast, crew, and Tongue in Cheek, please visit www.tictheater.com and like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/tictheater

Q&A with Lynn Berg ('Uncle Peck') in HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE

TIC Theater is thrilled to produce a 3-week run this fall of How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel, running Oct. 17-19, 24-26, 31-Nov. 2 at 8 pm at The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios (244 W. 54 St., 12th Fl.).  Tickets are $18 online and 212-868-4444.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play follows precocious Li'l Bit's formative teenage years in rural Maryland in the 1960s.  Only her Uncle Peck seems to get her, and shows her the ways of the world.

We sat down with actor Lynn Berg* ('Uncle Peck') to talk cars, drinks and the 60s.

What's your favorite line from the show?

Merlin Berg's '55 Bel Air.

Uncle Peck says, "Of course, my favorite car will always be the '56 Bel Air Sports Coupe.  Chevy sold more '55's, but the '56!"

The first car I owed was a '55 Chevy Bel Air.  My dad is a well-known car customizer and he bought me a rusty, two-toned green '55.  We restored it together and it was sweet!  I loved that car, and now, years later, I regret selling it.  Oh, well.  My pop has a '55 that he's had since before I was born.  And over the years, it's gone through several stages of customizing and colors. 

A lot of people, including me and my pop, say the '55 is the real gem of the Bel Airs.  I think Peck loves the '56 partly because of his affinity for the underdog.

Who do you think is Peck's favorite pop icon of the 1960's?
Peck's favorite character from the 60's, and really starting in the 50's would be James Bond.  Peck loves new gadgets, drinks and women.  And he likes to think of himself as a classy playboy.  He would envy Bond's above-the-law status and secret agent life.  Peck would live vicariously through James Bond's adventures, like readers and audiences have for over 50 years.

If Peck were entertaining, what drink might he fix?
The drink Peck would offer to mix lady guests visiting his den would be a Harpoon.  It is a precursor to the Cosmopolitan and we would learn to mix it from Playboy's Bar Guide by Thomas Mario (not Hugh Hefner).

Check Lynn out as 'Uncle Peck' this fall at the Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios.

TIC is thrilled to have sold out its last 2 seasons of plays, so please do buy your ticket in advance.  http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=HOW27

For more about the cast, crew, and Tongue in Cheek, please visit www.tictheater.com and like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/tictheater

*Appears courtesy of the Actors Equity Association.  How I Learned to Drive is an Actors Equity-approved showcase.

First Read Through for 'How I Learned to Drive'

Theater people have loads of superstitions. For Tongue in Cheek Theater, we always wait until after a successful first read-through before we send our postcards to print... and I'm thrilled to report, after a fabulous first read of How I Learned to Drive, our postcard proof was just sent to the printers.

Six actors in search of a crazy family in this dark comedy.

Earlier today, in the Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, our cast and crew gathered and read through the entire show in 76 minutes.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Paula Vogel follows a dysfunctional Maryland family in the 1960s.

Happily for the cast, we all got along famously, jokes landed, and the Greek Chorus sang an impromptu arrangement of 'Blue Moon.' Seeing how many of the characters have a tendency to hit the bottle, we felt it fitting to adjourn for a nearby beer at the Tongue in Cheek-designated bar, Valhalla.

We coordinated our tops.  We're off to a mime convention after this.

The cast is comprised of Lynn Berg* (Uncle Peck), Jake Lipman* (Li'l Bit), Michael Edmund (Big Papa/Male Greek Chorus), Joan D. Saunders (Grandma/Female Greek Chorus 1), Shelley Little (Mother/Female Greek Chorus 2) and Holland Hamilton (Aunt Mary/Female Greek Chorus 3).  Rounding out the talented folks making this fall happen is our assistant director Allison Lemel.

If you're superstitious like we are, and if TIC production history is any indication (we're going to sell this one out, mark my words!), you might want to consider buying your tickets now for our fall run.

How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
Directed by Jake Lipman, assistant-directed by Allison Lemel.
9 performances: Thursday-Saturday, Thursday October 17 through November 2, 2013 at 8 pm.
The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC.
Tickets: $18 at www.tictheater.com or by calling 212-868-4444.
*appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association.

Hot Ticket: HOW TO BEHAVE/PLACES, PLEASE

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the theater?  Tongue in Cheek is pleased to announce a special one-night-only event that gives audiences a glimpse behind the curtain, HOW TO BEHAVE/PLACES, PLEASE, on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm at The Bridge Theatre in midtown NYC. Musical guest Garry Novikoff will also perform.  Tickets are $10 and include a glass of wine.

Two one-woman shows share the stage: HOW TO BEHAVE by Connie Perry and PLACES, PLEASE by Allison Lemel.

Connie Perry
HOW TO BEHAVE

Connie Perry reprises (and revises) her piece about coming to NYC to work in the theater, including work as an usher, learning and telling people HOW TO BEHAVE.  Perry returns to the stage with TIC after performing an earlier version in TIC's Plus 1 Solo Show Festival.

Allison Lemel
PLACES, PLEASE

Allison Lemel wears many hats with TIC, including assistant directing several of its shows, and stage managing more than 14 with TIC.  Always unflappable, Lemel recalls her many stage management posts in PLACES, PLEASE, and shows the audience that despite the drama happening backstage, a great stage manager makes magic happen onstage every night.

Garry Novikoff has been a musical guest at TIC's Plus 1 Solo Show Festival and will return with a couple of his heartfelt and humorous songs, rounding out the evening.

We're nearly 2 months out and HOW TO BEHAVE/PLACES, PLEASE is already nearly sold out (as of publishing this blog, only 11 tickets remain!).  Details, below.  Can't wait to see you at the theater in October.

HOW TO BEHAVE by Connie Perry/PLACES PLEASE by Allison Lemel
Directed by Jake Lipman 
Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm
The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC
Tickets: $10 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=BEH2 or call 212-868-4444
Run time: 50 minutes, no intermission

Cast Announced: HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE

We are thrilled to announce the cast of Tongue in Cheek Theater's fall production of How I Learned to Drive.  Thank you to the exceptionally talented group of actors who auditioned for us.

Objects in the review mirror may be closer than you think.

Cast:
Lynn Berg* as 'Uncle Peck'
Michael Edmund as 'Male Greek Chorus'
Jake Lipman* as 'Li'l Bit'
Joan D. Saunders as 'Female Greek Chorus 1'
Shelley Little as 'Female Greek Chorus 2'
Holland Hamilton as 'Female Greek Chorus 3'

Read more about the cast and crew here.

9 performances: Thu, Fri, and Sat nights
Thu., Oct. 17 - Sat., Nov. 2, 2013 at 8 pm.

Tickets: $18 online or at 212-878-4444.

Fun TIC Fact: Tongue in Cheek's inaugural production in 2006 was another Paula Vogel piece, The Baltimore Waltz.

*Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association.  How I Learned to Drive is an AEA-approved showcase.

Casting HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE August 18

Tongue in Cheek is holding auditions by appointment on Sunday, August 18 for is fall run of How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel.

Casting union and non-union actors (3 women, 2 men) for Tongue in Cheek Theater’s fall production of HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE by Paula Vogel. Ms. Jake Lipman, producer and director.

This Pulitzer-prize winning dark comedy recalls a teenage girl struggling to get out of rural Maryland in the 1960s. When her doting uncle gives her driving lessons, concern soon grows that he has an unhealthy attraction to his niece.

Auditions by appointment only, Sunday, August 18 in midtown. Seeking union and non-union actors.

Singing note: while not required for members of the Greek Chorus, please mention in your submission if you can carry a tune and your voice part.

E-mail auditions@tictheater.com with desired role(s), voice part (for GREEK CHORUS roles), headshot, resume and scheduling conflicts. Please do not submit if you cannot attend the first read-through or any tech rehearsals.

Schedule:
Rehearsals are in midtown for five weeks: Sun. afternoons 2-5 pm, Tue/Wed/Thu evenings 6:30-8:30 pm from Sun. Sep. 8-Sun Oct. 13.

Tech will be the evenings of Mon., Oct. 14, Tues., Oct. 15, and Wed., Oct. 16.

9 performances in The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, Thu-Sat nights for three weeks. Oct. 17-Nov. 2 at 8 pm.

AEA showcase, approval pending. Seeking union and non-union actors. Stipend for union actors is $224, non-union $150.

Seeking:
2 MEN

• UNCLE PECK, 30-40s. A former marine, nice-looking and kind, but struggles with drinking and an attraction to his teenage niece.
• MALE GREEK CHORUS, 30s-50s. Plays several roles: a dirty grandfather, a knowing waiter, taunting teenage classmates. Please note if you sing, and voice part.

3 WOMEN

• FEMALE GREEK CHORUS 1, 30-50s. Plays a naively vulgar grandmother and a taunting classmate. Please note if you sing, and voice part.
• FEMALE GREEK CHORUS 2, 30s. Plays a frequently-drunk-yet-knowing mother and taunting classmate. Please note if you sing, and voice part.
• FEMALE GREEK CHORUS 3, 30s. Plays Aunt Mary, the long-suffering wife of UNCLE PECK and a taunting classmate. Please note if you sing, and voice part.

Note: the role of LI’L BIT has been cast.

About the play:
A wildly funny, surprising and tempestuous tale of survival as seen through the lens of a relationship between a teenage girl and her uncle, How I Learned to Drive is the story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel.  Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.