When one Danish filmmaker gets the novel idea to make a close-knit book club the subject of his next documentary, its members realize life under constant watch isn’t easy.
The University’s Swine Palace is bringing playwright Karen Zacarias’ contemporary comedic production, “The Book Club Play,” to the Reilly Theatre April 22-May 3 under the direction of George Judy.
Aside from heated debates about books, the show features the group of friends’ struggle as they adjust to one of the club’s newest members — the camera. Perched in the corner of Rob and Ana’s home, played by MFA theater students Colton Neidhardt and Addie Barnhart, respectively, the camera captures everything from the group’s discussions to more intimate conversations.
“People go nuts when they’re on TV,” Judy said. “There’s going to be a lot of laughing while watching how these characters react under pressure, but there’s a real human and moving sense of these people coming to terms with who they really are.”
While book clubs are known to promote connection, the show displays a glimpse of the disconnect between a technology-driven world and the authentic human contact the characters seem to be searching for.
The show’s set design hints at this divide onstage with two larger-than-life structures of a classic book and modern e-reader, which Judy said displays caricatures and book covers throughout the show.
As the story unfolds, the audience will be treated to characters’ discussions about everything from “Moby Dick” to “Twilight.” Barnhart said each character takes turns choosing a book, and the conversations deepen while the reasoning behind the choices is reflected in the scene.
Barnhart’s character started the book club, and while she’s willing to accept that responsibility, she may take her position a little too seriously. Poised as ever, Ana is constantly concerned with making a good impression for the camera, which may do more harm than good when it comes to her relationship with the other members.
“She’s doing a lot of well-meaning things, but she’s also stepping on people’s toes a lot,” Barnhart said. “It’s a hard character to play because it’s very easy to make them unlikable.”
Ana’s antithesis is found in her husband, Rob. While he’s present at the book club, he’s notorious for not reading the books, but enjoying the snacks. Neidhardt said he figured Rob is more of a visual learner because he mentions how he prefers the film adaptations of books.
“I think Rob’s situation reflects our contemporary society in a lot of ways because he’s just kind of fickle about what he wants to encounter when it comes to art or literature,” Neidhardt said. “It challenges all of the other character’s ideas, and they have to justify what they believe.”
While the show is under two hours, it addresses many topics Judy and the cast said they hope the audience will be able to easily relate to, including how technology’s impact on the individual and the presence of the camera are changing these characters’ actions and interactions.
Judy said when people come together in this way, there’s going to be conflicts and relationships that need to be negotiated. Through those negotiations, he said he thinks the audience will experience an evening of laughter as it watches how these relatable characters are placed in a variety of eccentric circumstances.
This is the last production for this particular group of students who have been working closely with each other for a while now.
Barnhart said each character matches the actor well, so it’s fitting that “The Book Club Play” was chosen as the final show.
After watching and working with these actors for two years, Judy said they have become collaborators and helped to make this production an ensemble creation. He said he encourages people to attend because it’s a fast, fun and furious piece sure to make for a painless evening.
“Great stories in books are wonderful, but we have a great story of our own to write,” Judy said. “It’s important that we acknowledge and accept both the opportunity and responsibility for creating our own lives and creating our own stories.”
You can reach Greta Jines on Twitter @TheGretaJines.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Charles Champagne

Addie Barnhart, who plays Ana, and Colt Neidhart, who plays Rob, perform Sunday, April 19, 2015 at the LSU Reilly Theatre during their rehearsal.