"A life of ages and pages."
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 everyone.
Warm, witty and suspenseful, Lauren Gunderson's historical dramatic comedy THE BOOK WILL plays in the Firemen's Kitchen at Hickory Community Theatre Hickory Community Theatre from March 7th through March 15th.
Like Richard Burbage, the great Shakespearean actor he portrays in THE BOOK OF WILL, HCT Artistic Director Eric Seale has lived many lives on many stages all across this land.
Born and bred in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, Seale has directed over 85 plays and produced around 110 plays since starting his professional theatre career. Before coming to HCT in 2019, Seale was a co-founder and executive producer of The Balagula Theatre. He also served five seasons as artistic director of Actors Guild of Lexington, and three seasons as the artistic managing director of Central Kentucky Theatre.
Seale's recent acting credits include MISERY at Lee St Theatre, ANASTASIA, RIPCORD and NOISES OFF at HCT, CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Old Colony Players, DEPARTURES, LIVING ON LOVE, A COMEDY OF ERRORS, THE DIVINERS, SEMINAR, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, and THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS.
Among Seale’s numerous directing and designing credits at HCT are THE GUY WHO DIDN'T LIKE MUSICALS, RIDE THE CYCLONE, SQUIRRELS, AIRNESS, EATING BLACKBERRIES, KINKY BOOTS, MACBETH, SOMETHING ROTTEN, PUFFS, THE PIRATE QUEEN, BY THE BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL SEA, and THE WEIR. Other productions of note include SPAMALOT, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, A LIFE IN THE THEATRE, KING LEAR, END DAYS, and THE CLEAN HOUSE. He will next helm WAITRESS to close out HCT's 76th season.
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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