THE BOOK OF WILL by Lauren Gunderson

The Book of Will

Written by Lauren Gunderson | Directed by Beth Wolf

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.

Performances:

September 18 – October 25, 2025
Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00pm 
Sundays at 3:00pm

The Den Theatre
1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-3830

Creatives

Director: Beth Wolf
Production Manager: Samantha Barr
Casting Director: Becca Holloway
Stage Manager: Erin Galvin
Technical Director/Props Designer: Jeremiah Barr*
Costumer: Rachel Sypniewski
Scenic Designer: Trevor Dotson
Sound Designer: Stefani Senior
Lighting Designer: Piper Kirchofer
Intimacy Director: Courtney Abbott

Cast

John Heminges: Jared Dennis*
Henry Condell: Ben Veatch
Richard Burbage/Jaggard: Brendan Hutt*
Ed Night/Isaac Jaggard: Kevin Sheehan*
Ben Johnson/Barman 2/Sir Edward Dering: James Lewis
Ralph Crane/Barman/Compositor/Francisco: Johnathan Perkins
Marcus/Boy Hamlet/Crier/Bernardo: Jesús Barajas
Rebecca Heminges/Anne Shakespeare: Anne Sheridan Smith
Elizabeth Condell/Emilia Lanier/Fruit Seller/Marcellus: Sabine Wan
Alice Heminges/Susannah: Brittani Yawn

*Indicates PTE Ensemble Member

Understudies

Understudy Elizabeth/Rebecca: Michelle Perry
Understudy Alice: Meghann Tabor*
Understudy  Marcus/Ralph Crane: Alexander Garza
Understudy Henry Condell/John Heminges: Michael Stejskal
Understudy Burbage: Nick Dorado
Understudy Ben Johnson/Ed/Isaac: Andre Colin

“Wonderstudies” are truly the bedrock of the theatre. These dedicated professionals work alongside the cast to develop characters and fulfill the promise that the show will go on. The Chicago theatre community – producers, performers, and audiences – is indebted to understudies and the directing/stage management teams that help them prepare.