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LEADING LADIES presents
with Executive Producer FIFTH THIRD BANK
THE
BOOK CLUBPLAY
- By Karen Zacarías
- Directed by Blake Robison
MARCH 22 – APRIL 20, 2025
MOE AND JACK'S PLACE — THE ROUSE THEATRE
LEADING LADIES presents
with Executive Producer FIFTH THIRD BANK
MARCH 22 – APRIL 20, 2025
MOE AND JACK'S PLACE — THE ROUSE THEATRE
A comedy about books and the people who love them. When the members of a devoted book club become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker, their intimate discussions of life and literature take on new meaning with the camera rolling. Add in the unexpected arrival of a provocative new member and the sudden inclusion of some questionable titles, and long-standing group dynamics take a hilarious turn. A sold-out hit at theatres across the country, The Book Club Play by Playhouse favorite Karen Zacarías returns! This delightful and engaging play is sprinkled with wit, joy and novels galore.
The Book Club Play is recommended for older teenager and adult audiences. Using only mild adult language, some (very funny) book discussions reference identity, sex and maybe … sparkly vampires?
This show runs approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, with a 20-minute intermission.
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(Left to right) Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank) Marina Shay (Ana Smith) and Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(Left to right) Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa), Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson) and Adam Langdon (Alex/Carl). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The cast of THE BOOK CLUB PLAY. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(Left to right) Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson), Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa) and Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Marina Shay (Ana Smith) and Adam Langdon (Alex/Carl). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank), Marina Shay (Ana Smith), Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa) and Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Marina Shay (Ana Smith) and Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa), Adam Langdon (Alex/Carl), Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank), Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson) and (foreground) Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(Left to right) Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank), Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa) and Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The cast of THE BOOK CLUB PLAY. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(Left to right) Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson), Marina Shay (Ana Smith), Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam) and Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Marina Shay (Ana Smith) and Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(Left to right) Marina Shay (Ana Smith), Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson), Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam), Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa) and Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
(Foreground) Marina Shay (Ana Smith), Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson) and (background) Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Annalisa D’Aguilar (Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson), Adam Langdon (Alex/Carl), Kim Wuan (Jennifer McClintock/Elsa) (front row) Eli Mayer (Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam), and Matthew McGloin (William Lee Nothnagel/Frank). Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Karen Zacarías’ The Book Club Play, a comedy celebrating literature and friendship, returns to the stage after a sold-out run in 2013 and brings amusing enlightenment to the joy of reading and the prickliness of spirited debate.
Read more
Playhouse Associate Artist Karen Zacarías’ lifelong love of books gives credence to her aptly titled The Book Club Play. She shares remarks on her play, including how impactful it has been to be in a book club for more than 20 years.
Read more
Blake Robison and playwright Karen Zacarías have formed a unique artistic partnership that spans multiple plays, cities and decades. Working together again for the 2024-25 production of Zacarías' The Book Club Play, Robison reflects on their fruitful and rewarding collaborations.
Read more
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights!
(Formerly Meet the Artists), stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.
Join us in reading and discussing the same books that spark spirited debate in the play at our pre-show Read Between the Wines Book Club events. Each one includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and a fun book discussion facilitated by a member of the Playhouse
staff. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the discussion runs 6:15 to 7 p.m. in the Kaplan Lobby. Cost is $25 per person, per event, which includes the hors d’oeuvres, two glasses of wine and doesn’t include tickets to the play (sold separately).
• Moby Dick by Herman Melville: Wednesday, April 2
• The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton: Tuesday, April 8
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: Friday, April 11
• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: Thursday,
April 17
Caterer: SeasonedDish
Wines:
To purchase a Book Club event as an add on only (without a ticket to the show) click here.
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To purchase both tickets to the play and a Book Club event, choose your date below. The Book Club will be offered as an add-on after you choose your tickets to the play.
Pay What You Can performances are an additional way we try to make live theatre accessible to those who otherwise might not be able to attend our shows. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 513-421-3888 or in person beginning at noon, day of the performance only. Tickets are subject to availability.
Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a hearing enhancement system, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue. Before the show and during intermission, show and actor information are shared.
Each Rouse Theatre production offers one signed ASL performance during the show's run.
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AMELIA AND TOM
CRUTCHER
KAREN AND BILL
NEYER
LEON AND BARB
MEYER
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