{"id":366819,"date":"2025-04-09T08:07:28","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:07:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=366819"},"modified":"2025-04-09T08:07:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T12:07:28","slug":"stunning-bad-books-excerpts-red-hot-culture-wars-at-round-house-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/04\/09\/stunning-bad-books-excerpts-red-hot-culture-wars-at-round-house-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Stunning ‘Bad Books’ excerpts red-hot culture wars at Round House Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kate Eastwood Norris and Holly Twyford, two of the DC area\u2019s most accomplished actresses, square off against each other in Sharyn Rothstein\u2019s comedic drama Bad Books<\/em> at Round House Theatre. It is the latest of many projects these two seasoned performers have shared, and Rothstein gives them a stunning and thoughtful piece to devour.<\/p>\n

The earnest, dowdy Mother (Twyford) walks into her local library to confront The Librarian (Norris) over Boob Juice<\/em>, a book that she recommended to The Mother\u2019s impressionable 15-year-old son. Looking more like a middle-aged punk rocker than a typical bibliophile, the snarky Librarian\u2019s back arches up. She brays about freedom of choice as The Mother asserts her parental rights. Although The Mother admits she read only portions of the book, she\u2019s convinced that this one is inappropriate for her curious teen.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Kate Eastwood Norris (The Librarian) and Holly Twyford (The Mother) in \u2018Bad Books\u2019 at Round House Theatre. Photo by Margot Schulman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first, the conversation is laced with mordant wit. The Mother worries that her son spends too much time reading, not a comment that elicits much empathy from a librarian. They trade taunts and boast about their personal challenges, divorce and cancer among them. When it comes to the issues of censorship, however, their thin skins peel back a little more with each riposte, revealing antagonistic red-hot core beliefs.<\/p>\n

Finally, The Mother digs frantically in an oversized tote bag for her phone. She films the escalating war of words and posts it online. The consequences of this exposure spiral out uncontrollably, engulfing both characters\u2019 personal and professional lives (and those of unseen others) in myriad unexpected ways. As it turns out, The Mother once wrote a controversial book of her own, one that she subsequently took great pains to suppress. But at least one copy still exists.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re witnessing a tiny shard of the culture wars that are playing out everywhere in this fractious country. Where ought parental controls begin and end? What risks do outsiders \u2014 even librarians \u2014 incur as they open young minds to the outside world? To her credit, Rothstein brings balance to the conflict.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Holly Twyford (The Mother) and Kate Eastwood Norris (The Manager) in \u2018Bad Books\u2019 at Round House Theatre. Photo by Margot Schulman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over 90 minutes, Norris morphs from The Librarian to The Manager (where The Mother is employed) and then into The Editor (who wants to reissue The Mother’s disavowed book), each time etching her character with crystalline precision and brilliantly shifting body language. Twyford remains The Mother, yet her emotions and postures change with great sensitivity as she encounters Norris\u2019 succession of personas, each denoting a difficult passage in The Mother\u2019s own life.<\/p>\n

Ivania Stack\u2019s spot-on costumes mark the passage of time and changing circumstances. Twyford\u2019s dull colors, cardigans, and baggy suits speak to her increasing sense of bewilderment. Norris\u2019 tight-fitting jackets and sexy boots enhance her edginess and belie our notions of a genteel librarian. As The Manager, she struts uncomfortably in a starchy suit. As The Editor and self-proclaimed hugger, she is swathed in a generously cut, soft-looking coat.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Kate Eastwood Norris (The Librarian) and Holly Twyford (The Mother) in \u2018Bad Books\u2019 at Round House Theatre. Photo by Margot Schulman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Directed by Round House\u2019s Artistic Director Ryan Rilette, Bad Books<\/em> is performed in the round. Scenic Designer Meghan Raham\u2019s several set pieces are arranged on a turntable that revolves slowly throughout the production. A bit distracting at first, the movement actually levels the playing field, enabling audiences to experience all sides of the debate. The circular quality is reinforced by Rothstein\u2019s last vignette: what goes around comes around.<\/p>\n

The final scene between the two may strike some as a little too optimistic, especially given today\u2019s cavernous cultural divides. But on an individual level, Bad Books<\/em> shows us that awkward reconciliations are possible if antagonists stop and listen to one another. While Rothstein clearly advocates for freedom of choice, she never loses sight of the agonizing uncertainties of good parenting, and how hard it is to achieve a balance between protection and liberty.<\/p>\n

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.<\/p>\n

EXTENDED:<\/strong>\u00a0Bad Books<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>plays through May 4, 2025,<\/strong> at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD (one block from Bethesda Metro station). Tickets ($50\u2013$108) can be purchased by calling 240-644-1100, visiting the box office, or online<\/strong>.<\/a> (Learn more about special discounts here, <\/a>accessibility here, <\/a>and the Free Play program for students here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

The digital program for Bad Books<\/em> is here.<\/a><\/p>\n

COVID Safety: <\/strong>Round House Theatre no longer requires that audience members wear masks for most performances. However, masks are required for the performances April 22 and 26 (matinee). Round House\u2019s complete Health and Safety policy is here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Bad Books<\/em><\/strong>
\nBy Sharyn Rothstein
\nDirected by Ryan Rilette
\nFeaturing Kate Eastwood Norris and Holly Twyford
\nA National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO:<\/strong>
\nSharyn Rothstein looks at censorship \u2018through the eyes of a badass librarian\u2019 <\/a><\/strong>(interview by Ravelle Brickman, March 29, 2025)
\nRound House Theatre announces lineup for fourth annual festival of new work <\/a><\/strong>(news story, March 5, 2025)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Performed by two local stars, Sharyn Rothstein’s new comedic drama debates where parental controls should begin and end. 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