“Lieberman has fashioned an evening that is untidy, ambitious, funny, and unexpectedly tender.”
PLAYOFF-BROADWAYCLOSED
Dirty Books
Bated Breath Theater · 1h 10m
Opened Nov 13, 2025 · Closed Jun 27, 2026 · Ran for 7 months
1 Rave
1 Positive
2 Mixed
1 Negative
Critics' Take
This immersive exploration of book banning and censorship divides critics. Some praise its seductive concept and educational value, while others find the execution uneven and bland.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
5 reviews1 Rave
1 Positive
2 Mixed
1 Negative
Sort:
“It’s a dynamic celebration of the vastness of what it can mean to share a life with someone and what it means to do so unapologetically.”
“It all felt shoehorned together, but by the end I came to mostly appreciate it.”
“Leaning more toward this kind of actual history and away from the story of the two couples would have given “Dirty Books” more of the heft that the subject deserves, because this is not just history.”
“It’s also, unfortunately, a bit of a snooze.”
Audience Scorecard
33 audience reviews
B
Shrugging
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Dirty Books?
This immersive exploration of book banning and censorship divides critics. Some praise its seductive concept and educational value, while others find the execution uneven and bland. (CriticScore 66/100 from 5 reviews.)
Is Dirty Books worth seeing?
Probably, if the material interests you. Critics say Dirty Books is worth seeing (66/100 from 5 reviews) — it works best if the premise or cast appeals to you.
What is the CriticScore for Dirty Books?
Dirty Books has a CriticScore of 66/100 based on 5 professional reviews. This is rated "Worth Seeing".
Is Dirty Books still running Off-Broadway?
No, Dirty Books has closed. It played at Bated Breath Theater and closed on June 27, 2026.
How long is Dirty Books?
Dirty Books has a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes with no intermission.
Is Dirty Books appropriate for children?
Dirty Books is recommended for Ages 15+.
Creative Team
- John DoeDirector
- Jane SmithBook Writer
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 66/100 (5 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Nov 13, 2025
- Closed
- Jun 27, 2026
- Run Length
- 7 months
- Runtime
- 1h 10m
- Intermissions
- 0
- Age
- Ages 15+
- Theater
- Bated Breath Theater
- Synopsis
- "Dirty Books" is a tantalizing exploration of forbidden desires and the power of the written word. Set in a covert library, the play follows a group of bibliophiles who uncover a cache of scandalous tomes, igniting a provocative journey into the depths of human passion and the consequences of their literary indulgences. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, the characters must confront the boundaries between pleasure and morality, challenging audiences to question the nature of their own darkest impulses.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
