Kate Eastwood Norris and Holly Twyford, two of the DC area’s most accomplished actresses, square off against each other in Sharyn Rothstein’s comedic drama Bad Books 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.
The earnest, dowdy Mother (Twyford) walks into her local library to confront The Librarian (Norris) over Boob Juice, a book that she recommended to The Mother’s impressionable 15-year-old son. Looking more like a middle-aged punk rocker than a typical bibliophile, the snarky Librarian’s 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’s convinced that this one is inappropriate for her curious teen.
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.
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’ 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.
We’re 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 — even librarians — incur as they open young minds to the outside world? To her credit, Rothstein brings balance to the conflict.
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’ succession of personas, each denoting a difficult passage in The Mother’s own life.
Ivania Stack’s spot-on costumes mark the passage of time and changing circumstances. Twyford’s dull colors, cardigans, and baggy suits speak to her increasing sense of bewilderment. Norris’ 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.
Directed by Round House’s Artistic Director Ryan Rilette, Bad Books is performed in the round. Scenic Designer Meghan Raham’s 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’s last vignette: what goes around comes around.
The final scene between the two may strike some as a little too optimistic, especially given today’s cavernous cultural divides. But on an individual level, Bad Books 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.
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
EXTENDED: Bad Books plays through May 4, 2025, at Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD (one block from Bethesda Metro station). Tickets ($50–$108) can be purchased by calling 240-644-1100, visiting the box office, or online. (Learn more about special discounts here, accessibility here, and the Free Play program for students here.)
The digital program for Bad Books is here.
COVID Safety: 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’s complete Health and Safety policy is here.
Bad Books
By Sharyn Rothstein
Directed by Ryan Rilette
Featuring Kate Eastwood Norris and Holly Twyford
A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere
SEE ALSO:
Sharyn Rothstein looks at censorship ‘through the eyes of a badass librarian’ (interview by Ravelle Brickman, March 29, 2025)
Round House Theatre announces lineup for fourth annual festival of new work (news story, March 5, 2025)
