"Somehow...I always know the right direction."
You know and have seen the works of William Shakespeare. But do you know the drama that went into the publishing of his timeless tragedies, comedies and histories?
Lauren Gunderson's THE BOOK OF WILL is a lively and loving celebration of those for whom Shakespeare's words meant the world, and how they shared them with the rest of the world. It plays in the Firemen's Kitchen at HCT, March 7th-15th.
Making his Hickory Community Theatre debut as First Folio publisher William Jaggard, and First Folio purchaser Sir Edward Dering, is James McBride.
A retired police chief, former Marine, and devout Eagles fan, Philadelphia native McBride is still settling into his new life in Lenoir (though North Carolina captured his heart over 40 years ago). His collegiate studies include time at Central Carolina Community College and Rutgers University. In addition to his support for the Police Benevolent Association and the American Legion, McBride enjoys hiking, camping, and reading to schoolchildren with his free time. Though new to the Hickory area arts scene, McBride brings with him an already extensive resume in theatre, film, television, and video games. On stage, McBride has appeared in ANNIE, THE ELEPHANT MAN, A FEW GOOD MEN, HOLY GHOSTS, and a production of OF MICE AND MEN that earned him a Best Actor award at the Eastern States Theater Association Fest. He has also appeared in such television series as HACK, THE GOOD FIGHT, and MARE OF EASTTOWN, as well as in such films as JESUS'S SON, THE HOMECOMING, and SOUL SANTA. He most recently appeared, in motion capture and voice, in the 2018 video game RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2.
Like his character in THE BOOK OF WILL, McBride is to the point about his involvement in the production: "Actors act. It's as simple as that." He's also refreshingly blunt in his self-deprecation: "I'm the actor most likely to fall on my arse and laugh it off."
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)