The Book Club Play Explores Community and Stories

Whether you love or loathe reading, there’s little question as to whether you will enjoy “The Book Club Play,” a show that explores the life-altering capabilities of story and examines the power of community, all while tapping into the absurd humor of everyday interactions and relationships.

Directed by Christopher Bohan, “The Book Club Play” marks the Cleveland premiere of Karen Zacarías’ 2009 work that follows a modern book club and the drama that ensues when their meetings are put under the lens.

Every few weeks, Ana invites her friends into her home for book club. The meetings feature explorations of classic literature, diplomatic discussions and themed snacks. However, when the Book Club allows its meetings to be recorded for use in a documentary film, drama expands far beyond the pages of the novels that they read. Personal realizations, budding romantic relationships, clashing personalities and the introduction of modern, popular literature into the book club begin to threaten the group’s foundation. Can the book club–or the friendships it was founded on–survive?

Director Bohan has pinpointed the strength in Zacarías’ script: lovable characters. While there’s plenty of dialogue that includes deep discussions on the power and impact of story that will make a bibliophile’s heart sing, the complicated, heartfelt and often hilarious interactions between the characters are the true drivers of the narrative.

Embodying the type-A, self-appointed mother hen figure is Natalie Green. As Ana, Green is brilliant. She embodies the controlling, pinched severity of Ana with rigidity, passion and intensity, but she still manages to give the character sympathetic qualities. Her passion for literature is relatable, and her glares are legendary.

Michael Glavan plays Rob, Ana’s husband. Rob doesn’t attend book club for the books as much as the snacks–and the fact that it’s hosted in his living room certainly doesn’t hurt. Glavan plays Rob with a cool swagger and deep vulnerability. Rob’s lack of literary knowledge provides plenty of laughs, but his desperation to find his spark again–a desire that was itself sparked by a novel–is sincere.

Rob’s college roommate, Ana’s ex-boyfriend and co-founder of the book club is Will. Will is a collected, stylish figure who is portrayed with poise and control by Ricky Quintana. As a lover of classic literature, Will undergoes a huge realization when introduced to a particular popular contemporary novel. Quintana gives this transformation an exuberant, joyful and passionate telling that’s sure to evoke smiles.

A long-time member of the book club and friend of Ana is Jen, played by Alex Minyard. Jen is a reclusive, shy and awkward soul whose bright future was upended by a salacious scandal during her youth. As one of the group’s most passionate members, Minyard’s Jen is a little geeky, a little chaotic and very endearing.

Cast as the group’s youngest member is Kadijah Wingo as Lily. As a young, liberal thinker, as well as the club’s only Black member, Lily often challenges the group and how they approach their discussions. Wingo is a sweet, humorous figure who manages to aptly capture Lily’s youth and self-confidence.

Rounding out the six-person cast is Kyle Huff as Alex. Much to Ana’s chagrin, Alex was invited to attend the book club without her permission. While Ana and Will are wary of Alex’s presence, everyone else loves the new addition, and it’s easy to see why. Huff plays Alex with an unapologetic joy and gusto that is easy to enjoy.

As part of the documentary-style presentation, the main scenes are interspersed with short interludes by double-cast auxiliary characters. This includes “on-camera” interviews with a Walmart employee, secret service agent, literary agent, inmate and sky diver who all speak to their relationship with books. These scenes are all colorfully lit by designer Josy Jones and bookended by cheeky transition songs from sound designer Maggie Hamilton. These interludes are a bit silly, and the ending of the show wraps up in an uber-clean manner, but it all fits the energy of the show, which is fun through and through.

Costume designer Cristine Patrick dresses the characters casually. The clothing and usage of iPhones hints at a modern setting, but it’s not clear when exactly within the twenty-first century the story takes place.

Seat of the Pants performs across Northeast Ohio in “surprising locations that inspire creative staging.” The company is hosting its latest production in a small chapel within the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Tremont. “The Book Club Play” is staged in the round, using furniture that appears to have come from the church itself. While the furniture fits its surroundings, the tan area rug, bench seat and floral-patterned ottoman in the center of the space don’t match the aesthetic of the classy, image-obsessed Ana, whose living room we are meant to be occupying.

However, the actors utilize the space well. Director Bohan ensures that the cast is hardly ever static, making use of the room’s corners, which include a piano and bar set-up. The ensemble does a great job of making the coordinated movements feel natural, casual and realistic, with comedic pacing to match.

This show isn’t just about books, but about the people who find meaning within them. Whether you finished your last read yesterday or haven’t picked up a novel since high school, “The Book Club Play” is a bit of required reading that everyone will enjoy.

Seat of the Pants Productions’ “The Book Club Play” runs through May 31, 2026 at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113. Visit seatofthepants.org for tickets, $23.