A dark comedy by Sharyn Rothstein about book-banning, censorship and the power of stories, staged as a regional premiere.
Shrewd Productions brings Bad Books to Hyde Park Theatre starting November 5, and it's a regional premiere. The play is a dark comedy by Sharyn Rothstein, and it runs Thursdays through Saturdays from November 5 to November 28, with no performance on Thanksgiving Day. It's directed by Jenny Larson-Quinones and features Heather Hanna, Gina Houston, Shannon Grounds, and Chelsea Manasseri.
The story starts small: a mother, a librarian, and a controversial book. From there, it spirals into a battle over book-banning, censorship, and the power of stories, and who gets to control the information we consume. It's a dark comedy, so it doesn't just lean into the politics of it—it finds the humor in the friction. The New York Times called it "very weird and great," and Vulture described it as "nimble, funny and devastating."
Beyond the stage, the production keeps the conversation going. Selected performances include post-show discussions with local librarians and educators, so if you're interested in the real-world side of censorship, there's a chance to talk through it after the curtain falls.
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Shrewd Productions is the company behind the show. They focus on unique perspectives and emerging artists, with a particular emphasis on women's voices and new plays developed through a collaborative artistic approach. This is their 22nd production. You'll find Bad Books at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 West 43rd Street, Austin, TX 78751, running Thursdays through Saturdays, November 5–28.
