Book Club Play
By Karen Zacarías
Directed by Nick Olcott
Originally produced at Round House Theater, Washington D.C..
February 6, 2008 through March 2, 2008
About the Premiere Production: The Book Club Play is a contemporary comedy about a group of friends who welcome a new member into their book club, only to see him tear at the fabric of their longstanding relationships. It is structured as a documentary film in which the action is interrupted by "character interviews" and projected out-takes from the film's final cut. It is a new play about the literary set. It is a comedy for book lovers. And yet, wrapped inside its sleeve, it becomes a sly examination of social groups, ritual, and the true nature of friendship.
Artistic Statement: Round House Theatre embraces literary adaptations and contemporary works as a cornerstone of our artistic programming. The Book Club Play is that unique theatre piece that encompasses both. In recent years, Round House has become known for its bold, theatrical adaptations of classic and contemporary literature. We are fond of saying that great books should be re-interpreted and re-vitalized on stage. But that is not all we do. New contemporary plays complement our Literary Works Project to create a well-rounded theatre experience for our patrons.
The Book Club Play meets all of our programming criteria: it is new, dynamic, clever, theatrical, literate, literary, provocative, and worthy of an adventurous audience. It makes me laugh. A lot. And once I'm laughing, I realize that there is something more profound going on -- the play has turned the microscope on me. So I think. Then I laugh some more. In my experience, it is a rare play that invites self-scrutiny in such a fun, unrelenting fashion. This play deserves to be seen.
So does the playwright. Karen Zacarías is the unsung hero of the DC theatre scene. She has a well-deserved and hard-earned national reputation, yet she has been strangely overlooked by the area's major theaters. Round House is pleased...overjoyed...to offer her a home in her adopted hometown.
Director: Nick Olcott
Set Design: Jim Kronzer
Lighting Design: Colin K. Bills
Sound Design: Matthew M. Nielson
Costume Design: Rosemary Pardee
Subsequent Productions:
North Carolina Stage Company in Asheville, NC October 23, 2013 - November 17, 2013
Horizon Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA May 17, 2013 - June 23, 2013
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in Cincinnati, OH March 23, 2013 - April 28, 2013
Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY February 19, 2013 - March 24, 2013
The Public Theatre in Lewiston, ME October 16, 2012 - October 28, 2012
Arena Stage in Washington, DC October 7, 2011 - Novemebr 6, 2011
Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, MA July 8, 2008 - July 19, 2008
Actors Theatre of Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ Jun 20, 2014 - Aug 17, 2014
6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA Aug 23, 2019 - Sep 15, 2019
Center Repertory Company in Walnut Creek, CA Jan 30, 2015 - Feb 28, 2015
16th Street Theater in Berwyn, IL Apr 7, 2016 - May 14, 2016
Swine Palace Productions in Baton Rouge, LA Apr 22, 2015 - May 3, 2015
Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD Feb 6, 2008 - Mar 2, 2008
Dallas Theater Center in Dallas, TX Jan 1, 2015 - Feb 1, 2015
The Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD March 17, 2024 - April 14, 2024
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Arvada, CO March 17, 2023 - May 18, 2023
News
“This [is] an astonishing, hilarious, and at times moving play, one difficult to describe but rewarding to see.”
- Berkshire Links
“This wonderful evening of theater can be enjoyed on a number of levels.”
- Berkshire Fine Arts
“The Book Club Play, a delightful, fresh comedy enjoying its premiere in the Berkshires, is distinctive, sharp and exceptionally well written.”
- Talkin’ Broadway