The Book of Will

  • Lauren Gunderson

The Book of Will
Director

The Phoenix Theatre Company

With impeccable direction and a superb cast, this historical drama is receiving a superb production from The Phoenix Theatre Company. ...Under Melissa Rain Anderson's expert direction, the cast create realistic characters full of nuance and dimension. There is a wonderful combination of drama and humor in the play, and all cast members do a fine job navigating their way through the requirements of the piece without their performances ever seeming unnatural or too over the top. Anderson has staged the piece expertly, with great use of Douglas Clarke's gorgeous, multi-layered wooden set. The rest of the creative elements are also top-notch, including Ashley Gamba's beautiful, period-perfect costumes and Nathaniel White's evocative lighting.

Gil Benbrook
Talkin' Broadway

Lauren Gunderson’s cleverly witty “The Book of Will” provides a fascinating scenario for how the plays were retained and a solid Phoenix Theatre Company staging keeps audiences entertained with comic portrayals of Shakespeare’s acting colleagues who decided to preserve the works after the playwright’s death. Gunderson has added enough contemporary wit to keep things light but thought-provoking. ...presented with a nimble and exuberant farcical style imposed on these clever actors by director Melissa Rain Anderson.

Chris Curcio
Curtain Up Phoenix

  • Scenic Designer Douglas Clarke
  • Lighting Designer Nathaniel White
  • Costume Designer Ashley Gamba
  • Sound Designer Chris Neumeyer
  • Hair/Makeup Designer Shelby Joiner
  • Properties Sarah Harris
  • Photos by Reg Madison Photography. Additional photos by Douglas Clarke.

Cast: Tony Blosser, Katie Calderone, Scott Davidson, Grant Goodman, Michael Kary, Dean Mitchell Kelldorf, Regina Pugh, Bonnie Beus Romney, Seth Tucker, Jodie Weiss, (swings): Amie Bjorklund,Louis Farber, Justin Jutras, Emily Mohney, Michael Thompson