"Publish or vanish. That's the choice I see."
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 Hickory Community Theatre from February 28th through March 15th.
Making her Hickory Community Theatre stage debut in this production is Ensemble member Elise Yaussy.
A resident of Newton, Yaussy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Elon University, and currently works in the Patient Insurance & Accounts department for Newton Family Physicians. Among her hobbies are reading, singing (in the car), and dancing (poorly, she says) everywhere.
"I've done a lot of Shakespeare," says Yaussy of her interest in THE BOOK OF WILL, "so this seemed a fun and logical direction." Indeed, though this is her first onstage appearance at HCT—she was a stage crew member for 2019's END DAYS—Yaussy is a proven performer when it comes to the Bard. Amongst her Shakespeare In The Park credits for The Green Room Community Theatre are appearances in HAMLET, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, THE TEMPEST, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, ROMEO AND JULIET, and THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Other Green Room credits include MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, NOISES OFF, ANYTHING GOES, and ALMOST, MAINE.
As "the actor most likely to sweat the small stuff," Yaussy finds great joy in the challenge of bringing the cast of the THE BOOK OF WILL to life. "Making these characters real, regardless of whether they actually existed, and to what extent, is my favorite part of this role."
Performances of THE BOOK OF WILL are Fridays and Saturdays, February 28th through March 14th at 7:30 PM; Saturday, March 15th at 2:30PM; Sunday, March 2nd and 9th at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, March 13th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for youth and students.
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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