Live theater at the Indiana Repertory Theatre is back, and the team at the IRT opened with a raucous comedy that is fresh and funny. Running now through Oct. 31, The Book Club Play is a delightful romp through the ever-changing dynamics of six people brought together by chance, a love of books, and a desire for free wine and nibbles.
Ana (Andrea San Miguel) hosts a book club with her friend Will (Will Mobley), both Type A personalities who are pretty judgemental about what makes literature great. Other club members are informed that meetings will be recorded for a documentary. Her husband Rob (Sean Davis), Jen (Emily Berman), and Lily (Cassia Thompson) are self-conscious about the hidden camera, and play to it. Rob admits he isn’t much of a book person and prefers the movies, but is there for the snacks and wine. Jen is a serious reader but is intimidated by others and the camera. Lily, who is African-American, is enthusiastic about reading but is frustrated by the selections that lean toward old-white-guys literature, such as the selection of Moby Dick, and Age of Innocence. When Lily suggests a popular title, Twilight, Ana and Will are notably upset, scoffing that it isn’t real literature. To prove otherwise, Jen invites a comparative literature professor, Alex (Adam Poss) to the third club meeting where he talks about the importance of pop literature. That’s when things take a turn toward the — different. As the play goes on, secrets are revealed, and Ana makes a revelation that startles everyone.
The cast excels at physical comedy and timing, trading quips and looks across the living room set that brought gales of laughter from the audience. The only jarring moments were those of the “alter egos” of the characters that slide out from behind the curtains during scene changes that talk about book clubs — they add nothing to the story, although the pundits are rather funny. The playwright Karen Zacarias provides plenty of laughs and gasps without these little monologues. Director Benjamin Hanna does wonders with the staging and keeping the dialogue flowing like the wine on the stage.
For the first “in person” play in a year and a half, the IRT hits it out of the park with this comedy. It is also available to stream into your home, so if you are still uncomfortable with public performances, you can still get in on the laughs. The IRT requires in-person audience members to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from the last 72 hours at the door. You must remain masked during the performance.
Tickets and online streaming information are available at IRTlive.com or by calling 317-635-5252.
