The Book of Will

by Lauren Gunderson

THE STORY: Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever. After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it...

THE STORY: Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like Romeo and Juliet. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever. After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg, and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, THE BOOK OF WILL finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.

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The Book of Will

Recommended by

  • Kate Danley: The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson
    “

    I was lucky enough to catch this at the Taproot Theatre and I'm still reveling in the glow of this incredible play. I had joyous tears streaming down my cheeks from the enormity of it all. This is a gorgeous, well-researched, heartfelt love letter to Shakespeare and theatre. It is stunning how, but for a few caring, unsung heroes, we could have lost Shakespeare's words forever. It isn't just a play, it is a call to arms to lift up those around us whose gifts we treasure and make sure they are never forgotten. Standing ovation!

    I was lucky enough to catch this at the Taproot Theatre and I'm still reveling in the glow of this incredible play. I had joyous tears streaming down my cheeks from the enormity of it all. This is a gorgeous, well-researched, heartfelt love letter to Shakespeare and theatre. It is stunning how, but for a few caring, unsung heroes, we could have lost Shakespeare's words forever. It isn't just a play, it is a call to arms to lift up those around us whose gifts we treasure and make sure they are never forgotten. Standing ovation!

    ”
  • Daniel Guyton: The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson
    “

    I saw this at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta. What an amazing script. I adored it beyond words. The love Ms. Gunderson has for Shakespeare is evident. More importantly for this play, she loves the people who worked hard to preserve his work. My favorite part is the dedication to women in this play. It isn't just the men who saved Shakespeare's legacy, it was the women as well. Truly a breath of fresh air. Magnificent!

    I saw this at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta. What an amazing script. I adored it beyond words. The love Ms. Gunderson has for Shakespeare is evident. More importantly for this play, she loves the people who worked hard to preserve his work. My favorite part is the dedication to women in this play. It isn't just the men who saved Shakespeare's legacy, it was the women as well. Truly a breath of fresh air. Magnificent!

    ”
  • Adena Brumer: The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson
    “

    Lauren Gunderson has written a love letter to language, to story, to actors, to theater, to legacy, to life.

    Lauren Gunderson has written a love letter to language, to story, to actors, to theater, to legacy, to life.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Development History

  • Commission, Denver Center Theatre Company, 2016
  • Workshop, Colorado New Play Summit, 2016

Production History

Awards

  • The Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Winner
    2018