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Most of us are far more familiar with the characters Romeo and Juliet than we are with their creator, despite many attempts at fleshing out the man behind the legend. Some of these origin stories, like the musical “Something Rotten!,” have been silly, while others are sweet and almost entirely invented (the movie “Shakespeare in Love” comes to mind). However, Lauren Gunderson’s “The Book of Will”—presented by the Promethean Theatre Ensemble and playing now at The Den Theatre—takes an entirely different tack. Rather than focusing directly on the Great Bard, this light comedy instead showcases the surprisingly heroic efforts undertaken to preserve his greatest works.
The action begins in a boisterous tavern across the way from the Globe Theatre. There, the few remaining King’s Men (the acting company initially tasked with putting Shakespeare’s words on stage) loudly reminisce about their time on stage. They are also none too thrilled about the cheap proliferation of Shakespearean productions that offer only a superficial resemblance to the source material. Through their rumblings, we learn that Shakespeare, out of concern for being pirated, rarely disseminated the entire script to any one person. That, plus a great fire, left the bulk of his work residing not in a safe vault, but in the actor’s very mortal selves. After the sudden passing of yet another beloved King’s Men, two of the surviving actors vow to safeguard in print as many Shakespeare plays as possible. These efforts led to the 1623 publication of what is commonly referred to today as the First Folio.
You certainly don’t have to be a fan to fall in love with this sweet, unhurried play. Credit director Beth Wolf’s crisp direction along with the fine ensemble for crafting a very organic theatrical experience that celebrates not only theatrical genius, but the many, many hands needed to keep a company together. In the Elizabethan era, that meant fruit vendors and scribes. And like today, it also meant publicists, publishers and lawyers all pressing together in a common vision to ensure that greatness be applauded by the greatest number of people possible. Standout performances include James Lewis, whose baritone bravado injects a heck of a lot of fun in his depiction of Ben Jonson and various other characters. Jared Dennis (John Heminges) and Anne Sheridan Smith (Rebecca Heminges) depict a strong, intimate relationship that can only come together with age. Jesús Barajas also shines in several off-kilter comedic roles.
We cannot all be Shakespeare. But each of us are blessed with the ability to preserve and advance greatness. By doing so we take arms against the ravages of time. Perhaps we even have the chance to earn small victories in the battle we are all destined to lose. At least that is my takeaway from “The Book of Will”: In these uncertain times, it makes sense to take inspiration from wherever we can find it.
Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s “The Book of Will” runs through October 25 at The Den Theatre, 1331 North Milwaukee. Tickets are $30 ($25 for seniors and students), available at thedentheatre.com.
