Play By Play
Play By Play
Adrienne Campbell-Holt
Kaminsky enthusiastically echoes these sentiments, stating,“ From early conversations with Will and Ryan, the environment at Dorset has been incredibly supportive and creative. They emphasize community and connection, resonating perfectly with my play’ s themes.” She also acknowledges the creative risks involved, welcoming the opportunity for artistic exploration:“ Will immediately asked if I was open to script changes. It’ s an exciting risk and an opportunity— I’ m eager to refine the play collaboratively, with genuine trust and openness.”
Further emphasizing the personal significance of SALVAGE’ s production at Dorset, Kaminsky expresses joy about collaborating professionally with her sister, Eva:“ Collaborating with my sister is incredibly meaningful. We’ ve dreamt of this since childhood basement shows. To bring this dream to life professionally at Dorset is beyond special.”
Ultimately, Kaminsky hopes the audience will leave the theater reflecting deeply:“ I want audiences to discuss connection, grief, humor, and letting go. Theater allows personal interpretations, and I’ m eager to hear the diverse responses SALVAGE evokes.” Ryan Koss reinforces Dorset’ s broader role, adding,“ SALVAGE perfectly embodies our festival’ s goal of sparking thoughtful conversations through accessible, impactful storytelling. It captures what Dorset does best: providing a nurturing space where artists feel
Lena Kaminsky
safe to take risks and audiences feel connected to the stories unfolding on stage.” Rucker concludes with a thoughtful reflection on Dorset’ s community-centric approach:“ Our festival is at its best when audiences leave not only entertained but moved, reflecting deeply on their own lives and relationships. SALVAGE promises exactly that— a memorable and meaningful experience that aligns beautifully with our mission to build stronger community bonds through the power of theater.”
Following the season opener, audiences will be treated to Karen Zacarías’ delightful comedy, The Book Club Play( July 11- July 26, 2025), directed by Dorset Theatre Festival favorite Jackson Gay. Renowned for her sharply humorous and insightful play Native Gardens, which captivated Dorset audiences in 2024, Zacarías’ incredible writing takes center stage once again this season, with another irresistibly witty exploration of human relationships and cultural connections. The plot of The Book Club Play centers around a tightly knit group of literary enthusiasts whose longstanding camaraderie faces uproarious disruption when their intimate discussions become the subject of a documentary film. The introduction of an unpredictable new member adds further comedic chaos, forcing the characters to hilariously confront their own personal biases, literary tastes, and group dynamics. Zacarías skillfully combines sharp humor with insightful commentary on friendship, culture, and the transformative power of storytelling. Director Jackson Gay, whose vibrant and critically acclaimed past Dorset productions include Sidekicked( 2024), Stephen King’ s Misery( 2023), Wait Until Dark( 2022), and Slow Food( 2019)— which notably reunited beloved actors Dan Butler and Peri Gilpin from TV’ s Frasier— brings her signature blend of comedic timing, emotional nuance, and dynamic stagecraft to this anticipated production. Gay’ s continued collaboration with Dorset Theatre Festival is marked by a deep mutual respect and artistic synergy, as she consistently elevates each production through her meticulous direction and intuitive understanding of ensemble dynamics. Will Rucker reflects on the continued partnership with Gay, remarking,“ Jackson’ s consistent ability to draw out both humor and humanity in each script makes her a perfect match for Zacarías’ layered comedic style. We’ ve watched her work develop a remarkable rapport with our audiences, who now eagerly anticipate each of her new projects. With The Book Club Play, Jackson’ s insightful direction promises another standout production.” Ryan Koss adds further context to the Festival’ s dedication to Zacarías’ works:“ Karen Zacarías has a unique talent for making us laugh while simultaneously holding up a mirror to the complexities of modern relationships and community dynamics. After the incredible success of Native Gardens, we knew immediately that we wanted to continue exploring her rich catalogue. What makes The Book Club Play particularly special is its universal relatability— everyone has been in a group dynamic that suddenly shifts when a new person enters. The comedic and emotional journey these characters embark on is something our audiences will undoubtedly recognize and appreciate.”
Rucker enthusiastically underscores the alignment of Zacarías’ storytelling with Dorset’ s broader artistic vision:“ Her insightful narratives combined with Jackson’ s intuitive direction ensure a vibrant theatrical experience that speaks directly to our community’ s love of literature and storytelling. This production exemplifies Dorset Theatre Festival’ s ongoing dedication to fostering lasting
70 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine. com