It’s not necessarily a title anyone could get excited about. Oohh, “The Book Club Play,” I really have to see that. But then again, you know what they say about judging a book — or rather, a play — by its cover.
The subject of book clubs is, of course, nothing new. Long before the concept was Oprah-ized and readers pored over mail order catalogs for the latest titles, avid litterateurs have gathered for centuries to discuss and dissect their favorite tomes of fact and fiction. One can easily imagine great minds meeting for years and years, waxing poetic on all things memorialized by the written word.
But the modern book club is a much different venture.
Local playwriting pioneer Karen Zacarias proves that she is no stranger to the intricate inner workings and delicate social architecture of most homespun book clubs, and here she hones in on a miniature society scandalized by passive-aggressive politics and taut emotional manipulation.
» The highlights
With real soul and sizeable wit, Zacarias creates a tiny little group of poignant and screamingly funny people who are not unlike the sordid cast of characters we interact with every day. They’re our family, our next-door neighbors, our friends, even our enemies — only here, they’re somehow all “justifiably awkward.”
And whether by choice or by force, they’re all part of the same book club.
» The cast
Lise Bruneau is a terrific, if not quite wholly villainous Ana, the ringleader of the group who shuns newcomers with the same fiery logic as her restrained lust for literature, and Jason Paul Field’s Rob is a perfectly submissive hubby pining over Ana’s “mousy” best friend. And as always, Sarah Marshall is a brilliant mine of eccentricity in multiple snapshot roles for a series of candid “interviews.”
» The designers
Matthew M. Nielson provides the sexy soundtrack for “The Book Club Play’s” faux documentary style, while JJ Kaczynski’s contemporary projections move the evening along under Nick Olcott’s affectionate direction.
» Munch on this
Fortunately, Zacarias keeps the evening graciously unpredictable, and its superb climax is a bit like watching a “fabulous car accident.” Her brainy comedy sparkles with snappy dialogue and scalding humor, and is an ideal antidote to our icy winter blues.
‘The Book Club Play’
By Karen Zacarias
Directed by Nick Olcott
Through March 2
» Venue: Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda
» Performances: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
» Tickets: $25 to $60
» More info: 240-644-1100, www.roundhousetheatre.org
