Audio/Visual Moments
1. The ringing of the doorbell (43). The abrupt intrusion of sound is strong and comedic, reminding the Book Club members that, while they are the only ones in their world, they’re not the only ones in the world.
2. The blanket blackout (73). Ana’s panicked move to cover the camera is one of my favorite moments in the play. Everything on stage is dark but everyone can still be heard. It is a symbolic reminder you that can’t really hide once you have invited the world to view your life.
3. Jen’s cellphone ringtone (51). Again, the abruptness of sound cuts through a tense moment. I also interpreted the up-tempo ringtone as a sign she was in a better place emotionally than she was at the start of the play.
4. Everyone sitting around reading Ana’s book (76). The most powerful image in the play is that of the members sitting and reading intensely. Up to this point we have only seen them talking about the books. Here we see them actually reading.
5. The reading of the passages (14, 15, 32, 33, 79, 80). These are the selected moments different Book Club members chose to read to the group. It’s always fascinating to hear how someone reads a line in their head. It’s rare and gives great insight to a character.
6. Spotlights and projections (9-10, 25-26, 39-40, 58-59, 60, 66-67, 76, 85-87). All these moments help bring out the documentary style of the play like talking head segments.
2. The blanket blackout (73). Ana’s panicked move to cover the camera is one of my favorite moments in the play. Everything on stage is dark but everyone can still be heard. It is a symbolic reminder you that can’t really hide once you have invited the world to view your life.
3. Jen’s cellphone ringtone (51). Again, the abruptness of sound cuts through a tense moment. I also interpreted the up-tempo ringtone as a sign she was in a better place emotionally than she was at the start of the play.
4. Everyone sitting around reading Ana’s book (76). The most powerful image in the play is that of the members sitting and reading intensely. Up to this point we have only seen them talking about the books. Here we see them actually reading.
5. The reading of the passages (14, 15, 32, 33, 79, 80). These are the selected moments different Book Club members chose to read to the group. It’s always fascinating to hear how someone reads a line in their head. It’s rare and gives great insight to a character.
6. Spotlights and projections (9-10, 25-26, 39-40, 58-59, 60, 66-67, 76, 85-87). All these moments help bring out the documentary style of the play like talking head segments.