Wit, Joy and Novels Galore
Karen Zacarías’ The Book Club Play, a comedy celebrating literature and friendship, brings amusing enlightenment to the joy of reading and the prickliness of spirited debate.
Deep bonds both sincere and territorial provide engaging fuel as the play focuses on the members of a close-knit book club who become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker. Add in the unexpected arrival of a provocative new member, and the foundation of the group’s long-standing dynamics unravel with hilarious results.
The Book Club Play had its world premiere in 2008 at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland, and had a sold-out run at the Playhouse in 2013 in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse, directed by the Playhouse’s Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison. The play has since become a hit at numerous theatres across the country including Arena Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Horizon Theatre Company, North Carolina Stage and Dallas Theater Center, among others.
The upcoming Playhouse production in Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre is again directed by Robison. “When I directed the play in my inaugural season here, book clubs heard about the play and came in droves and then spread the word to others,” said Robison. “I think that now, more than ever, we need to laugh at ourselves a bit. So, it seems like the right moment to create a new production on the larger Rouse Theatre stage, bringing the laughs to a widespread audience.”
(Left to right) Kim Wuan (Jen) and Blake Robison (Director) in rehearsal for The Book Club Play
Robison has been connected with The Book Club Play for 17 years and has a great fondness for the material. “It's one of those scripts that makes me laugh out loud — and that's always a good sign,” he said. “I love all the characters and see parts of myself in them. They are good enough friends to tease and challenge each other. To disagree and still love each other. We have to treasure those friendships.”
The Book Club Play is intentional in its comedic impulses, but Zacarías specifically states in the script’s production notes that it is not a farce. Robison is aware of the challenges to stage comedy that doesn't tilt toward the excessive. “You've got to ride the line,” he said. “Comedy happens when characters take their (absurd) circumstances very seriously and act in outrageous ways. But ultimately The Book Club Play is about relationships, not slamming doors and mistaken identity. There are some very heartfelt moments in the play. I want to capture both the comedy and the pathos.”
(From left to right) Eli Mayer (Rob), Matthew McGloin (Will) and Kim Wuan (Jen) in rehearsal
He's also eager to reexplore the play’s documentary framework. “The script is structured as outtakes from a documentary film,” Robison said. “The mysterious Danish film auteur, Lars Knudsen, has filmed their book club and turned it into a reality show of sorts. It's a fun challenge to create this unusual framework on stage.” One of the most interesting exchanges in the play concerns the megahit Twilight series. The notion that “popularity is not quality” stirs emotions among the group and keeps the action flavorful in terms of titles. “Because this is a welcoming play about community, I wanted to pick books that were big enough in our culture that even if someone had not read them, they would have an idea of the plot or tone,” Zacarías said. “The fact that we start with American classics like Moby Dick and The Age of Innocence but end up with more popular blockbusters is a delightful trajectory for me.”
As Robison excitedly revisits The Book Club Play, he hopes the script’s relatable essence will entertain and connect with audiences. “I hope people will see themselves and their friends in these characters,” he said. “It's fun to experience the play with your own book club! Or just with your loved ones.”