Category Archives: Reviews

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

The Book Club Play presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through April 20th. I attended the Opening Night performance. 

Kim Wuan as Jennifer McClintock, Adam Langdon as Alex, Matthew McGloin as William Lee Nothnagel, Annalisa D’Aguilar as Lily Louise Jackson, and (foreground) Eli Mayer as Robert Novum Smith Jr.. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

In another production brought to you by Leading Ladies, a diverse group of arts-loving women whose goal is to sponsor a show annually, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is bringing a remounted version of The Book Club Play by Karen Zacharias to The Rouse Theatre aka Moe and Jack’s Place. Director Blake Robison brought this same show to the Playhouse’s Shelterhouse Theatre in 2013, his first season in Cincinnati – and he has brought it back with even more bells and whistles. Summarized as “a comedy about books and the people who love them”, it’s safe to say most of us either know people like these characters or might just be one of them ourselves.

Mr. Robison’s direction on this one is top notch. Pacing is absolute perfection; there is not one lull to be had. At the same time, we as the audience are not rushed and the ride is a pleasant one. I am setting a goal to meet Casting Director Stephanie Klapper in person one of these days because her gift as a CSA is unparalleled. Ms. Klapper has brought together a wonderful ensemble of performing artists whose palpable chemistry complements Ms. Zacharias’ script beautifully. Costume Designer Lauren T. Roark has her work cut out for her in this project which calls for several costume changes – but she nails her assignment. Changes appeared to be seamless (no pun intended) and every costume piece fit the characters both physically and in regard to personality like a glove.

It is next to impossible to cite specific actors over others in this well-oiled ensemble, so I will not even try. The cast boasts the talents of (in alphabetical order) Annalisa D’Aguilar as Lily, the new girl in town who brings fresh energy; Adam Langdon, the “party crasher” member (no spoilers here – you’ll have to see for yourself); Eli Mayer as Rob, the husband who is unwittingly dragged into membership thanks to the meetings being at his home (bonus points to those who saw Mr. Mayer in his tour-de-force performance in The Chosen); Matthew McGloin as William, the hosting couple’s oldest friend (those who remember Mr. McGloin’s turn in 2 Pianos 4 Hands will spot his incredible physicality); Marina Shay as Ana, the uptight self-appointed leader of the book club; and Kim Wuan as Jen, an absent-minded paralegal and OG club member. Each performing artist brings a unique vibe to their character all while making the audience feels that they are just flies on the wall of actual, real-life happenings.

Whether you love books or not, there is something in at least one member of this particular group that will touch you. But make no mistake: while there are sentimental moments, this play is rife with laughter. As you may be able to guess, the book club is about far more than just discussions about books: it is a peek into the everyday lives of people where we see the good, the bad, and the ugly. I found myself audibly reacting to things more than once (but only in my most appropriate, theatre etiquette-approved way, of course). I left the theatre with a smile on my face – and who could ask for more than just good, old-fashioned entertainment from either a book or a play?

Click here for more information about the production.

By Katrina “Kat” Reynold

ENGLISH presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through March 30th. I attended the Opening Night performance. 

Neagheen Homaifar as Marjan, Leyla Modirzadeh as Roya, Fady Demian as Omid, Aryana Asefirad as Goli & Sanam Laila Hashemi as Elham. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

This March, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is bringing audiences another Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner (2023): English by Sanaz Toossi. Staged in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre, English is set in a classroom in 2008 Iran where four adult students gather to prepare for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). What happens is an evocative glimpse into the unifying human desire to feel like they belong.

Director Kimberly Senior tries hard to keep the pace going on a script which has frequent “scene changes”; while they are more indications of passages of time, they do tend to break up the momentum quite a bit. I feel it would be better not to go “lights down” on each and every transition in the interest of keeping the audience’s attention. Set Designer Afsaneh Aayani offers a comprehensive classroom setting with a lot of options for natural movement and Ms. Senior’s blocking works well with it.

One of the major stars of the production would have to be Dialect Coach Sade Namei. With a show about students who are learning English as a foreign language, I was curious as to how the characters’ speaking in their native tongue would be handled. Without spoiling too much, dialects are key in how this plays out on stage. Ms. Namei’s work with the performing artists is to be commended and is a shining fifth character.

I have often sung the praises of Casting Director Stephanie Klapper and they are well-deserved sentiments. The chemistry between this group of five performing artists is cohesive and palpable. It is nearly impossible to cite any individual’s talents without mentioning each of them. Neagheen Homaifar as Marjan (the teacher) excels at dancing the fine line between conveying her genuine interest in imparting knowledge with her character’s own struggles as an Iranian. Aryana Asefirad breathes life into Goli: a sweet, genuine young woman who is clearly in love with the English language and sees it as a way to gain confidence in her proverbial voice. Fady Demian (Omid) glides effortlessly through the motions – both in physicality and sensibility – and you wonder what turmoil must inevitably lie beneath. Sanam Laila Hashemi (Elham) gives a masterclass in believability. Ms. Hashemi’s portrayal breeds empathy on a rich level and her quick navigation of both “languages” is enviable. Leyla Modirzadeh (Roya) is not only beautiful as far as aesthetics, but in her execution of a mother and grandmother who longs to be an important person in the lives of her progeny. (Semi-spoiler: I was not a fan of the way Roya’s story ended as it seemed dismissive.)

While many of us who will witness this exceptional production have an inherent privilege which bars us from empathizing with every aspect of the characters’ struggles, there are more than enough common bonds to which we can utterly relate. English is an ideal combination of the specific and more common struggles human beings share in this life. It addresses themes of being made to feel insignificant (or outright stupid) if we do not do things like “everyone else” along with complicated family dynamics and goals for the future. Whether you speak Farsi, English, or any other tongue, this is a well-written and well-told piece of art which will leave you feeling hopeful as you exit the theatre.

Special Note: The program contains an insert encouraging support of Persian-Owned Businesses. Please visit https://cincypacs.org/ to see how you can patronize such establishments.  

Click here for more information about the production.