"And when friends and art are lost, what's left for men to seek but God and hops?"
Three years after Shakespeare's death, theatre companies and publishers are still pirating and printing his plays without permission. Now, it's up to Henry Condell and John Heminges, and a host of supportive family and surprising allies, to ensure that the Bard's true words are published and preserved for generations to come.
Warm, witty and suspenseful, Lauren Gunderson's historical dramatic comedy THE BOOK WILL plays in the Firemen's Kitchen at Hickory Community Theatre from March 7th through March 15th.
Making his Hickory Community Theatre debut as famed writer and Shakespeare rival Ben Jonson, is David Nields.
Originally from Raleigh, Nields recently moved to Hickory from Florida to be closer to family and take a position as Theatre Instructor at Catawba Valley Community College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Catholic University. A member of the International Thespian Society and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Nields enjoys reading, as well as playing and recording music, in his free time. (Ask him about his mad mandolin skills.)
Nields has already made a Shakespearean splash in the area in his role as Sebastian in THE TEMPEST for The Green Room Community Theatre. He also recently directed a production of WISHFUL THINKING at CVCC. Among his other performing and directing credits prior to moving to Hickory, are productions of PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, MARY POPPINS, and THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP.
A self-described "huge Shakespeare fan," Nields is exuberantly embracing the oversized personality and perspicacity of Ben Jonson. And as "the actor most likely to write a song about the show," there may indeed be an musical ode in the offing by the final performance. Watch this space.
Performances of THE BOOK OF WILL are Fridays and Saturdays, March 7th through March 14th at 7:30 PM; Saturday, March 15th at 2:30PM; Sunday, March 9th at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, March 13th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for youth and students.
PLEASE NOTE: The show on Saturday, March 8th is SOLD OUT.
Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.
THE BOOK OF WILL is rated PG. Some material may not be appropriate for children.
THE BOOK OF WILL is produced in association with Alice and John McDonough, and David and Maria Williams, with additional support from Steve Austin and Sherry Griffin. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 76th season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Belle Age, Covington Dental, LifeRootz, Protection Products, Inc., and Shurtape Technologies. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives additional support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
(Photo by Eric Seale)
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