The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Mary Ann Rodgers
May 9 – June 8, 2025
The Book of Will unfolds three years after the death of the legendary playwright William Shakespeare, focusing on the journey of two of his friends and fellow company members who set out to collect the most accurate versions of his plays, ultimately resulting in the publication of the First Folio. This vital collection included 36 plays, 18 of which had never been published before, including beloved works such as Twelfth Night and Macbeth.
“They may have been lost to us forever, but it wasn’t easy…” shares Director Mary Ann Rodgers. “The play is a celebration of theater, and I’ve wanted to direct it since the theaters were closed because of Covid-19,” Rodgers adds. “It’s really a good time at the theater – it’ll make you laugh, and it’ll make you cry! Audiences don’t need to know Shakespeare to love this play.”
Rodgers is proud to present a talented cast of thirteen actors, including familiar faces from the local community as well as new talents from Sonoma, San Francisco, and Oakland. The audition process saw an overwhelming response, showcasing the vibrant artistic spirit of the region.
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- Thursday Night Preview – May 8 at 7:30 pm
- Opening Night – Friday, May 9 at 7:30 pm
- Show Times: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30PM, Sundays at 2:00PM
*Saturday, May 24 is a matinee*
CAST (Alphabetically)
Isaac Jaggard/Ed Knight – Sean Mireles Boulton
Alice Heminges – Jannely Calmell
Susannah/Fruit Seller/Bernardo – Raysheina De Leon
Marcus/Boy Hamlet/Crier/ Horatio – Sam Hjelmstad
Richard Burbage/W. Jaggard – Marty Pistone
Henry Condell – Fred Pitts
Ralph Crane/ Barman #1/ Francisco – Steve Rhyne
Rebecca Heminges/Anne – Cathleen Riddley*
Elizabeth Condell/Emilia – Kelly Rinehart
John Heminges – Malcolm Rodgers
Edward Dering – David Smith
Ben Jonson – Michael-Paul Thomsett
Compositor, Marcellus, Barman #2 – Ben Vasquez
Understudies – Siobhan O’Brien, Thomas Peterson, Daniel Silverman, Natalie Tichenor
*Appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – Mary Ann Rodgers
Producers – Steve Price and Heather Shepardson
Stage Manager – Madge Grahn
Assistant Stage Manager – David Smith
Set Design – Ron Krempetz
Set Builder – Michael Walraven
Lighting Design – Ellen Brooks
Costume Design – Valera Coble
Sound Design – Billie Cox
Property Design/Scenic Painter – Dhyanis Carniglia
Choreographer – Jennifer LeBlanc
Fight Choreographer – Elena Wright
Paper Props and Folio – Rob Dario
Dialect Coach – Nancy Carlin
Photographer – Robin Jackson
Graphic Design – Mark Shepard
Program Consultants – Suzie Hughes and Nancy Wilson
Volunteer Coordinator – Eleanor Prugh
Web Manager – Andy Wilson
Lobby Flowers and Décor – Maureen Kalbus