How I Learned to Drive

When I first read this play a long time ago, I did not read the stage directions and honestly payed no attention to the Greek chorus. I imagined each character as a different person and imagined everything that was said was being done. However, as I reread this play for this class I payed more attention to little details and enjoyed it even more than the first time I read it. 
I believe that the chorus is an important and effective choice for this script. The chorus playing every other character but Lil Bit and Peck allows Lil Bit to talk about other relevant stories in her life. However, it also forces the story to always return to Lil Bit's relationship with Peck. It makes the statement that Peck is the main influence in this story very clear. It prevents any minor characters, such as the mother or grandmother, to overshadow Lil Bit and Pecks conversations. 

I really enjoyed the choice of Vogel to pantomime ALMOST every action in the play. Throughout the play, Lil Bit and Peck pantomime all inappropriate gestures. Even Lil Bit entering the shower is pantomimed and she remains clothed. I did not understand at first why Vogel did this. This lack of interaction with them separated the audience, in a way, from the horror of pedophilia that was taking place. Then, as the plot is continuing, I almost began to develop a little bit of empathy for Peck. He stopped drinking, seemed to take care of her, etc. However, at the end of the play, Vogel chose for Lil Bit and Pecks first interaction to be truly staged. As Peck takes advantage of the 11 year old girl, no pantomiming involved, the audience gets shocked into remembering that nothing about this relationship is normal. It leaves a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach and justifies every part of Lil Bit's reaction to Peck in their last meeting and then his inevitable death. I think Vogel chose to do this to emphasize this first meeting and make it the most important.