An unforgettable true story! In an act of undying devotion, Shakespeare's best friends race to do the impossible: Publish every play he wrote. This irreverent, witty, and surprisingly modern tale celebrates friendship, found family, and an unselfish act that changed the world forever. From the author of Silent Sky and the Christmas at Pemberley series.
Cast
Reginald André Jackson* – Henry Condell
Eric Jensen* – John Heminges
Nolan Palmer – Richard Burbage/William Jaggard
Nikki Visel – Elizabeth Condell/Emilia Bassano Lanier/Fruit Seller
Llysa Holland – Rebecca Heminges/Anne Hathaway Shakespeare/Marcellus
Andrew Litzky – Ralph Crane/Barman/Francisco/Compositor
Melanie Godsey – Alice Heminges/Susannah Shakespeare
Christopher Clark – Ed Knight/Isaac Jaggard
William Eames – Boy Hamlet/Crier/Bernardo/Marcus
Nik Doner – Ben Johnson/Barman 2/Horatio/Sir Edward Dering
Understudies
Joe Moore – Marcus/Boy Hamlet/Crier/ Bernardo/Ed Knight/Isaac Jaggard
Mark Kuntz – John Heminges/Richard Burbage/William Jaggard/Horatio/Ben Johnson/Barman 2/Sir Edward Dering
Jeff Allen Pierce – Henry Condell/Ralph Crane/Barman/Compositor/Francisco
Zandi Carlson – Elizabeth Condell/Emilia Bassano Lanier/Fruit Seller/Marcellus/Rebecca Heminges/Anne Hathaway Shakespeare/Alice Heminges/Susannah Shakespeare
*AEA – Actors’ Equity Association
Production Team
Director – Karen Lund**
Assistant Director – Nik Nolen
Scenic & Sound Design – Mark Lund
Costume Design – Nanette Acosta
Lighting Design – Michael Wellborn†
Stage Manager – Kathryn Louise*
Dramaturg – Dami Munroe
Dialect Coach – Leah Fishbaugh
Production Crew
• Crew:
Prop Master – Brandon Riel
Assistant Stage Manager – Grace Heller
Backstage Crew Swing – Rebecca Gelzer
• Casting:
Casting Director – Bretteney Beverly
• Costume Staff:
Dresser – Autumn Tustin
Draper – Martha Mitchell
First Hand – Scian Hayes
Stitcher – Scian Hayes, Veronica Dimoff, Alexandra McCoy
Wig Designer – Jenn Hill
Wig Specialist – Jenn Hill
• Scenic and Lighting Staff:
Master Electrician – Aiyana Stephens
Scenic Carpenter – Tim Samland†
Light Board Operator – Tiana Price
Sound Board Operator – Rex Waters
Electricians – Anna Van Vleet, Kathryn Louise, Madeleine Rush, Matthew Ray, Morgan Poirer
Scenic Strike/Load-In – Tamir Lehrer†, Ananda Portal†, Christopher Rocco†, Johann Wippich†
†All stage work performed by employees represented by I.A.T.S.E., Local No. 15.
- RUN TIME: 2 hours and 20 minutes, including 15-minute intermission
- RUN DATES: Jan 24–Feb 24, 2024
- AGE REC: 14+
- PRICE: $25-62, dependent on day and time; fees may apply. Pay-what-you-can performance Jan 31 at 7:30 pm.
- Public Health: Click here for health and safety policies.
- Group Tickets: Click here to reserve group tickets.
- Study Guide: To come.
- Special Offer: Chocolates and a Sonnet
Sweeten your theatre experience with chocolates and a sonnet. Preorder a box of two specialty chocolates from Hot Chocolat to enjoy with your choice of sonnet (choose romantic or platonic). Each box of chocolates includes one of each flavor: Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel and White Chocolate Strawberry Ganache.
Available for performances February 9-17. Purchase by February 15. Buy online, adding it to your normal ticket purchase. Pick up your ticket at will call, then bring it to concessions to receive your chocolates and sonnet. (Already purchased your tickets? Click here.)
Reviews:
- “...the perfect mix, of fact and fiction, as well as humor and heart. The show, which makes one think what a world without an accurate transcription of Shakespeare’s work would look like, is at its foundation a testament to the importance of theatre and story as salve and sanctuary. The Taproot production features a collection of standout performance as well as an ensemble that feels like a family. It’s funny. It’s touching. It’s very, very good.” — Greg Heilman, The Sound on Stage
- “Friendship, love, legacy, and honor are universal themes that are relatable to everyone. If you are Shakespeare fan, however, then you are in for a treat because this production is an ode to the legendary bard.”
— Mike Davis, KUOW
- “This production of prolific playwright Lauren Gunderson is rambunctiously performed by a mostly-veteran ensemble of wonderful actors. It’s such a joy to see/hear them chew into the script, especially Nolan Palmer, as he skillfully overacts, as Richard Burbage, Shakespeare’s soliloquys while wanting to murder the young, ridiculous thespians who mangle and change Shakespeare’s words – because Shakespeare’s plays have not yet been codified in print.” — Miryam Gordon, Miryam’s Theater Musings
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“...a truly unforgettable experience that I highly recommend to all lovers of classic Shakespeare.” — Tom Morse, Drama in the Hood
- “The beginning of Act II was particularly heartfelt with such emotion emanating from the stage that the world seemed to stop. These incredible scenes are why I and many others go to the theatre. The level of acting was masterful and it stayed with me days later.” — Mark Sugiyama, Eclectic Arts Media
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