THE BOOK OF WILL to Open at Curtis Theatre in June

The Curtis Theatre and Begins and Ends with A will present The Book of Will, written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Amanda Hallman.

Based on the true story behind William Shakespeare's first folio, The Book of Will follows the Bard's closest friends and their realization after his death that his works could be lost forever. Charged with the impossible task of compiling Shakespeare's original works into a Goliathan publication against the odds of funding, feuds, and their limited time, John Heminges and Henry Condell join forces with their families and friends to save the plays… and themselves.

Perfect for Shakespeare fans and novices alike, The Book of Will is a celebration of friendship, of legacy, of forgotten heroes and heroines, and of well-told stories that unite generations. It is the true story of how The King's Men—and the women alongside them—bequeathed to us one of the most performed, studied, and celebrated works in Western literature and theatre.

“I love this play for its love of theatre. For the characters in this play and me, the theatre is a sacred place. It's where we go for friendship and family, laughter and solace. I've never read anything that captures that reverence and love the way Lauren Gunderson's words do in this play,” says director Amanda Hallman, co-founder of Begins and Ends with A. “As for my favorite moment in the show… you'll have to come see for yourself.”

The Book of Will is yet another partnership between the Curtis Theatre and Begins and Ends with A. Previous partnerships include their award-winning productions of Lauren Gunderson's The Revolutionists, Emilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight, and Melanie Marnich's These Shining Lives.

(from left to right) Genevieve Kauper, Rebecca Leeds, Kelly Franett, Rigel Kent Paden, Madeleine Claire Colburn. Photo by: Francis Gacad.

The production runs June 12th through June 21st with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday showtimes: Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturday at 3:00pm (June 20 only), Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm.

Tickets:

• Adults $36
• Seniors $32
• Medical/Military/1st Responders $32
• Students $28

The Curtis Theatre is conveniently located in downtown Brea and offers an intimate setting with 199 seats and an expansive stage; “There really isn't a bad seat in the house.” Free Parking. 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821.

For more information and tickets: www.curtistheatre.com or call the box office at 714-990-7722.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Amanda Hallman is a director, educator, producer, and theatrical intimacy professional. An Orange County, CA native, she earned an AA from Fullerton College, a BA from UC San Diego, both in Theatre with an emphasis on Acting and Directing, and an MFA in Performance Pedagogy from Loyola Marymount University. She is co-founder of Begins and Ends with A, a female-driven Theatrical Production Company.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Lauren Gunderson is a playwright, screenwriter, and short story author from Atlanta, GA. She received her BA in English/Creative Writing at Emory University, and her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch, where she was also a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. She has been one of the most produced playwrights in America (American Theatre Magazine) since 2015, topping the list thrice including 22/23. Gunderson is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ACTA New Play Award for her plays I and You and The Book of Will.

ABOUT BEGINS AND ENDS WITH A:

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