The cast of Mara Lieberman’s “Dirty Books.”
Bjorn Bolinder – Find the Light Photography 2025
The play “Dirty Books” is causing quite a stir in New York’s theater world. Written and directed by Mara Lieberman, the executive artistic director of Bated Breath Theater Company, the production—equal parts funny, thought-provoking, and poignant—is based on true stories and examines the fraught history of censorship and book banning in the 1960s.
Marie is known for her buzz-generating plays, and her latest work speaks tuye of her calling card. It’s immersive- a time travel to another era, where secret bookstories and banned novels were mainstays. Throughput the performance, the audience becomes part of the show.
I caught up with Marie recently all about her New York.
Where do you live in NYC?
I live in Chelsea—remarkably, only four buildings from where I first started my New York life in my early twenties. It feels like a strange and beautiful full-circle moment.
What is your favorite neighborhood in NYC and why?
I’ve lived all over Manhattan and for years assumed the Village would always be my favorite— it’s twinkly, romantic, historic. But when I changed my whole life and moved to Chelsea last year, something just clicked. It fit me perfectly. Walking down 8th Avenue is like being in a musical: people step out of coffee shops and little stores to greet my dog Benny. I stop and kibbitz with people on the street corner, and the whole neighborhood has this creative joy that matches me. At night, I look out my bedroom window at the Empire State Building and say, “Goodnight, New York,” because honestly—it’s my longest relationship.
The best place for a pre-or post-theater meal and why. What are the dishes to order?
If I’m seeing a Broadway show, my favorite pre-theater spot is Meme’s on 10th. It’s Mediterranean, cozy, and the food is amazing. I always order their vegetarian tapas — especially the cauliflower and the beets. And their tagine is perfect. It feels like a little gem tucked just far enough away from the chaos of Times Square.
Best watering hole near your theater and the drink to get?
Bated Breath just moved into our new space on 14th between 5th and 6th, but when I lived on 12th Street, I fell in love with the 8th Street Wine Cellar. It’s this small, candlelit bar that’s casual but still feels really special. The staff is genuinely lovely. And, it’s been awhile, but I used to order their Aperol Spritz quite frequently.
Insider tips for enjoying a show like yours? Anything to make the experience better?
For a show like Dirty Books, the best insider tip is simply: surrender to it. It’s funny, sexy, disarming, and I hope unexpectedly moving. The more you let yourself stay open — to the story, to the performers, to the moments that catch you off guard — the more thrilling I think it becomes.
I’m interested in theater that breaks with tradition. I loved Ha ha ha ha at the Public, and I find myself drawn to the work at St. Anne’s Warehouse, New York Theatre Workshop, and BAM’s Next Wave Festival. I’m also a fan of immersive and experiential theater, even though it honestly terrifies me. It’s incredibly hard to get right and it’s even harder to create an environment where people don’t shrink from participation, myself included. But when it works, when you feel the whole room leaning in together, there’s nothing like it.
Share your insider New York gems.
Jefferson Market Garden is one of my favorite secret New York sanctuaries — steeped in history yet somehow hidden in plain sight on 6th Avenue. It’s a perfect oasis in the middle of the Village. I spend a lot of time walking along the Hudson. Pier 57 has become my go-to for its breathtaking views and the amazing popsicles. If you keep walking past Little Island you’ll stumble onto the
Beach, which I love. Pastis in the Meatpacking District has the best pancakes and sometimes I wander down to South Street Seaport. The Tin Building there is this beautifully curated indoor world of small specialty food counters and shops and it feels like you’ve stumbled upon a secret corner of New York.