CEDAR CITY — The Book Club Play, directed by Matt Zambrano, was performed at the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theater, located on Southern Utah University’s campus. Written by Karen Zacarias, The Book Club Play is about a group of five friends who meet about every two weeks to discuss the same book they have all read in that time. Their club then becomes the subject of a documentary by a famous filmmaker. Perfectionist Ana leads the club and views it as her personal domain. Fellow members include her underachieving husband Robert, her almost-too-honest best friend Jennifer, reserved ex-boyfriend William, and Lily, a hip focused college from work. As the documentary goes on, the dynamic shifts dramatically and the pressure is on to perform. A big twist is thrown in when another impromptu member named Alex, a comparative literature professor joins the group. As The Book Club Play progresses, hilarity, hidden resentments, secret affairs, and relationship tests combine to make an honest look at a group of friends each confronted with the truth about themselves while the documentary camera is rolling.
Seeing The Book Club Play at the Anes Studio Theater on SUU’s campus was a special delight because it is part of this year’s lineup for the Utah Shakespeare Festival 65th season. I love seeing plays at studio theaters because they give the audience an extra bit of intimate comfort. For example, the setting for this play all took place in Ana and Rob’s living room. Scenic Designer Jason Simms captures the cozy living room perfectly, with details of many bookshelves in the background. I truly felt I was invited into someone’s real life living room. Additionally, Lighting Designer Claire Chrzan, and Sound Designer and Original Music Composer Melanie Chen Cole utilize comedic transitions when the characters were introducing a new book to discuss. Such smooth time-passing transitions, accompanied by the direction of the actors overacting popular scenes in the book silently with dramatic lighting and music to accompany it, create a fun technical experience.
Regarding the actors who played friends Ana, Rob, Jen, Will, Lily and Alex, the push and pull of each relationship dynamic was executed masterfully. Emily Fury Daley played the perfectionist book club leader Ana perfectly. Daley really captured Ana’s controlling but charming personality. My favorite thing especially was her facial expressions whenever her character’s husband said something super off point. Daley’s reactions were priceless whenever fellow actor Travis Ascione, who played Ana’s husband Rob, asked the book club if there was a movie of the book they were going to discuss next time. My husband attended this performance with me and we laughed together at these characters every time because it was so dang relatable. (Especially when the book is over 400 pages long.)
Speaking of Travis Ascione who plays Rob, Ana’s underachieving husband, I especially loved how his character was the comedic relief of the group. Ascione perfectly embodied just a regular ex-jock who is generally liked by everyone but is not the sharpest pencil in the box. I really appreciated how Ascione showed Rob’s character growth as Book Club progressed and how it showed he truly loved his wife.
Chloe McLeod plays the awkwardly honest best friend Jen. I especially loved her bit that explained the reason why she wasn’t married yet: she hadn’t found her real-life Heathcliff. Heathcliff refers to the handsome lead in the book Wuthering Heights. This point was made even more hilarious when comparative literature professor Alex, played by Sean Dale, reacted to McLeod’s statement that, “Maybe Edward Cullen is this century’s version of Heathcliff.” (My millennial heart took way too much joy in all of the Twilight book references.) Sean Dale’s performance in his speech about why books are so important was especially moving. Dale passionately empathized that all books, whether they be Moby Dick or Twilight, share very relatable human experiences. One of these important experiences is to have hope. Everyone on Earth needs some type of hope, and books are a huge portal to obtaining it.
This great cast is only complete with Regan Sims as Lily and Jacob Dresch as Will. Both actors portrayed some very personal human experiences in a hugely thought-provoking and kind way. I especially loved the deep friendship connection that grew between these two as the play progressed. They faced some pretty heavy life experience topics head on and showed how to truly be a good friend. Overall, The Book Club Play is one that made me laugh, wince, and ponder about what life in general is about. This is one you will not want to miss.
MORE INFO: THE BOOK CLUB PLAY is currently playing at the Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theater at Southern Utah University’s Campus, 101-199 W. University Blvd, Cedar City, UT 84720. Performances are held July 14-October 3. For the most up to date schedule, performance details, and official ticketing, visit bard.org or call 800-PLAYTIX (752-9849).
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TIKTOK!
If you’re a director, producer or marketing contact who would like to have us review your show, please fill out this form.
If you have comments about this article, please fill out this form.