CINCINNATI – A hit play by Playhouse favorite Karen Zacarías returns March 22 through April 20 to Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre. Presented by the Leading Ladies with Executive Producer Fifth Third Bank, THE BOOK CLUB PLAY is a comedy about books and the people who love them. It returns after a previous sold-out run at the Playhouse in 2013 and selling out theatres across the country.
The inspiration for THE BOOK CLUB PLAY derives from Zacarías’s own experiences. She explains, “I’ve been in a fabulous co-ed book club for 25 years. It’s a sanctuary to talk, laugh and connect to deeper themes with friends. It also can manifest some drama and intense group dynamics.”
In the story, the members of a devoted book club become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker, and their intimate discussions of life and literature take on new meaning with the camera rolling. A provocative new member who arrives unexpectedly leads to the inclusion of questionable book titles. Hilarity ensues.
“It’s one of those scripts that makes me laugh out loud — and that’s always a good sign. 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 in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre to bring the laughs to a widespread audience,” says Blake Robison, Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director and director of THE BOOK CLUB PLAY.
The 20-year creative collaboration of Blake Robison and Karen Zacarías includes the world premiere of THE BOOK CLUB PLAY at Round House Theatre, where Robison previously served as artistic director. Robison then staged a new production of THE BOOK CLUB PLAY during his inaugural season at the Playhouse in 2013. Since then, he has since commissioned Zacarías to write Native Gardens and Shane, both world premieres that he directed at the Playhouse. Robison also produced Zacarías’s play Destiny of Desire.
Along with the laughs, Robison hopes audiences will take away this message, “Take it easy, lighten up, don’t be so critical. The play reminds you that it’s people who are dearest to you — not what they do, what they say or what they read.”
CAST
- Annalisa D’Aguilar – Lily Louise Jackson/Mrs. Simpson
- Adam Langdon* – Alex/Carl
- Eli Mayer* – Robert Novum Smith Jr./Sam
- Matthew McGloin* – William Lee Nothnagel/Frank
- Marina Shay* – Ana Smith
- Kim Wuan* – Jennifer McClintock/Elsa
PRODUCTION
- Playwright – Karen Zacarías
- Director – Blake Robison
- Set Designer – Jo Winiarski
- Costume Designer – Lauren T. Roark
- Lighting Designer – Jorge Arroyo
- Sound Designer/Composer – Matthew M. Nielsen
- Projection Designer – Amoirie Perteet
- Casting Director – Stephanie Klapper, CSA
- Stage Manager – Andrea L. Shell*
- Assistant Stage Manager – Carolyn Fast*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
TICKETS
Tickets begin at $35.00. Prices vary depending on performance. Preview performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on March 22, 25 and 26. Regular performances will take place on Tuesday-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will take place April 9 at 1 p.m. An audio-described performance is offered on April 12 at 2 p.m. and a signed ASL performance will take place April 13 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.
EVENTS
Preview Performances
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.
- Sat., March 22 at 7:30 p.m.
- Tue., March 25 at 7:30 p.m.
- Wed., March 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights!
- Thu., March 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Art Talks
(Formerly Meet the Artists), stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.
- Sun., March 30 at 2 p.m.
- Thu., April 3 at 7:30 p.m.
- Wed., April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Read Between the Wines Book Club
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: Wed., April 2
- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton: Tue., April 8
- Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: Fri., April 11
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: Thu., April 17
To purchase a Book Club event as an add on only (without a ticket to the show) click here.
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.
- Wed., April 2 Buy Tickets
- Tue., April 8 Buy Tickets
- Fri., April 11 Buy Tickets
- Thu., April 17 Buy Tickets
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN-PERFORMANCES
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.
- Wed., April 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., April 9, at 1 p.m. (Tickets available for purchase at 11 a.m.)
ADVISORY
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?
SPONSORS
THE BOOK CLUB PLAY is presented by the Leading Ladies. Executive Producer is Fifth Third Bank. Production Sponsors are Johnson Investment Counsel and Clark Schaefer Hackett. Design Sponsor is Skidmore Sales & Distributing. Artist Sponsors are Amelia and Tom Crutcher, Karen and Bill Neyer, Eat Well Celebrations and Feasts, and Leon and Barb Meyer. The 2024-2025 season is presented by the Schueler Group. Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.
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