The Book of Will (2017)

Mitchell Hebert, Shanara Gabrielle, and Cody Nickell. Brittany Diliberto.

A free staged reading of The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson, one of the Talks and Screenings at the Folger, was held in the Elizabethan Theatre on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 7:00pm.

Lauren Gunderson, one of America's most produced living playwrights, weaves a hilarious and heartfelt tale inspired by the true story of Shakespeare’s First Folio and how it came to be. After his death, Shakespeare’s friends Henry Condell and John Heminges join forces to preserve the plays he left behind – but not without hi-jinks and setbacks along the way. Follow the two actors and their cohorts as they embark on the mission that saved Shakespeare’s words.

The Book of Will was developed at the Colorado New Play Summit, and commissioned by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Director Eleanor Holdridge returned to Folger Theatre, having directed The Gaming Table.

The cast was as follows:

  • Desiree Chappelle
  • Chris Dinolfo
  • JaBen Early
  • Shanara Gabrielle
  • Chris Genebach
  • Mitchell Hebert
  • Brandon McCoy
  • Cody Nickell
  • Kate Eastwood Norris
  • Ashley Smith
  • Erin Weaver
  • L-R: Ashley Smith and JaBen Early

    L-R: Ashley Smith and JaBen Early

  • L-R: Chris Genebach, Kate Eastwood Norris, and Mitchell Hebert

    L-R: Chris Genebach, Kate Eastwood Norris, and Mitchell Hebert

  • L-R: Chris Dinolfo and Chris Genebach

    L-R: Chris Dinolfo and Chris Genebach

  • L-R: Shanara Gabrielle, Cody Nickell, Erin Weaver, and Brandon McCoy

    L-R: Shanara Gabrielle, Cody Nickell, Erin Weaver, and Brandon McCoy

Photo credit: Brittany Diliberto, Bee Two Sweet