The Book of Will – Play – Review – Taproot Theatre

@showsiveseen Lauren Gunderson's "The Book of Will" #play at @TaprootTheatre. Enthusiastic delivery. Nice #Tudor costumes. Love letter to #Shakespeare, #acting, posterity, & legacy. #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Takes forever – Subyub Lee

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): The Book of Will play at Taproot Theatre. Enthusiastic delivery. Nice Tudor costumes. Love letter to Shakespeare, acting, posterity, and legacy.

Recommendation
See it if you enjoyed Bruce or if you’re a Shakespeare fan.


Synopsis from the Theatre: An unforgettable true story! In an act of undying devotion, Shakespeare’s best friends race to do the impossible: Publish every play he wrote. This irreverent, witty, and surprisingly modern tale celebrates friendship, found family, and an unselfish act that changed the world forever. From the author of Silent Sky and the Christmas at Pemberley series.

Attended Performance Date: Opening Night 1/26/24 – Keep your eyes peeled for my preview posts if you want earlier notification of shows I’ve seen. Get your tickets now since the show ends this weekend!

Type: Play

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) Set? Yes

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: Obviously, you should be familiar with Shakespeare references and his major plays.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Equity Actors: 2

Total Number of Actors: 10

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium Speed

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Was there an intermission? Yes

Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No

Other Rave(s) Not Mentioned Above

  • Purpose of Theatre/Acting: My favorite scene was at the beginning of the second act when John Heminges (played by Eric Jensen) and Henry Condell (played by Reginald André Jackson) solemnly waxed poetically about the reason for live theatre – it’s so the people in the room can feel. “The faeries aren’t real, but the feeling is.”

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Storyline: It’s not an absolute requirement, but it didn’t feel like the storyline followed the classic narrative structure of the typical plot pyramid/diagram. Additionally, similar to Bruce, there didn’t seem like enough substantial significant conflict or cliffhanger. The deaths seemed random/unnecessary, and characters appeared out of nowhere.

Theatre Company: Taproot Theatre

Venue: Jewell Mainstage at Taproot Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 204 N 85th St, Seattle, WA 98103

Price: Medium

Tickets: https://taproottheatre.org/shows/2024/the-book-of-will/

Ticket Affordability Options: TodayTix/Goldstar

Dates: January 24 to February 24, 2024

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Paid lot or usually-free street parking. I always find free street parking on Greenwood Ave just South of the theatre.

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Pictures: See pictures below and in video above by John Ulman.

Reginald André Jackson, Nolan Palmer, and Eric Jensen in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.
Nolan Palmer and Melanie Godsey in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.
Andrew Litzky and Nik Doner in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.
Reginald André Jackson and Eric Jensen in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.
Llysa Holland, Nikki Visel, Eric Jensen, and Reginald André Jackson in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.
Reginald André Jackson, Melanie Godsey, Nik Doner, and Eric Jensen in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.
Eric Jensen and Llysa Holland in The Book of Will at Taproot Theatre. Photo by John Ulman.

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