Upon leaving How I Learned to Drive, I was not quite sure what to think of it. How often is an audience led to empathize with a pedophile? I know that I enjoyed the experience, however. The subject matter of the play really goes against the grain, yet it’s a funny play. There were a number of times that I was laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my chair.

Director and College junior Sarah Frank was drawn to this play because “the choices that Li’l Bit makes as she tells this story, as far as which memories she shares when and how she creates the scenes, present a story truer to her experience of it than a literal retelling could.”

Despise their spliced nature, the scenes are held together through an emotional arc and the serious subtext of pedophilia is relieved and supported by humor. The character Li’l Bit presents each specific scene intentionally to help show that her story is about much more than molestation.

College sophomore Merry Scholl takes on the challenging role of Li’l Bit, which requires her to portray someone from age 11 through age 35, switching back and forth between her character’s retrospective commentary and her presence in the scene itself. “The scenes go into each other, so it’s hard to prepare,” said Scholl.

Through posture, voice and the tempo at which she delivers her lines, Scholl adeptly distinguishes between the ages she plays back-to-back.

College junior Andrew Mooney, who plays Uncle Peck, found it equally difficult to age 25 years on stage. He conquered this challenge by working with his voice and expressing his maturity through his interactions with other characters.

The cast is completed by a Greek chorus comprised of College senior Sarah Degni, double degree sophomore Josh Christian and College sophomore Emily Andrysick, who function to frame the play and act as a variety of smaller roles. They are essential to the story and are impressive in their portrayal of many different characters.

Mooney and Scholl have nothing but good things to say about working with Frank. “Sarah’s really great about knowing what she wants and being willing to listen to us,” said Scholl. “I don’t think I could have done this with another director,” added Mooney.

A set Frank described as a 3-D collage is a work of art in itself. Designed by College junior Liz Woodbury and painted by College sophomore Hannah Epstein it is a fitting landscape in which to tell the story of the play.

Although the show has sold out for tonight’s performance, it will run again in Little Theater on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 2 and 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through CTS and at the door.