REVIEW: “The Book Club Play” at the Dorset Theatre Festival

by Emily Edelman

In Karen Zacarías’ “The Book Club Play,” onstage at Dorset Theatre Festival through Saturday, July 26, a local book club has become the subject of a documentary film, with a camera set up in the home of journalist Ana and her corporate husband Rob to record the club’s meetings, discussions and other subsequent interactions. It is these other interactions, however, that really drive the plot.

Riw Rakkulchon’s beautiful living room set allows plenty of space for character expression, which director Jackson Gay handles expertly for the most part, showing nuances of personality far beyond what is conveyed by dialog alone. The audience learns about the complicated relationships among Ana, Rob and Will, who all knew each other in college; timid and honest Jen; and Ana’s young newspaper protegee Lily, played as bright, earnest and inquisitive by Abigail Stephenson. The group dynamic is piqued by the arrival of jaded comparative literature professor Alex, who is given a suitably wary-yet-yearning portrayal by Jax Jackson. Caitlin Clouthier is at her spectacular best during the implosion of her Ana’s rigid, proper demeanor. 

Joey Moro’s projections helped to keep the audience on track with the book group’s discussions as well as to mimic visuals and cues that might roll across the screen in a finished documentary. Background music competed with dialog levels at times. 

One does not need to have read all — or any — of the books discussed to enjoy this play, as there is plenty to appreciate about the humanity of the characters, the intricacies of their relationships, and playwright Zacarías’ funny and engaging story.

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Playwright: Karen Zacarías. Director: Jackson Gay. Cast: Caitlin Clouthier, Alfredo Narciso, Lucas Dixon, Elizabeth Narciso, Abigail Stephenson, Jax Jackson. Scenic design: Riw Rakkulchon. Costume design: Vanessa Leuck. Lighting design: Paul Whitaker. Sound design: Daniel Baker. Projection design: Joey Moro. Production stage manager: Benjamin E.C. Pfister.