The theatre department is presenting their first in-person show of the 2020-2021 school year. Book of Will written by Laura Gunderson will open on Wednesday, Jan. 20 and run through Saturday, Jan. 23. All performances are at 7pm in the auditorium, and tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-book-of-will-by-lauren-gunderson-tickets-135612965029

“People should come see it, if nothing else, to see live theatre again,” senior Nico Hamburger said. “It’s been a long time without live performance for many people, and more than ever I realize how much we’ve taken it for granted.”

Book of Will is a comedy, but it does not stray from tackling the hard-hitting pains of love, loss, corruption, and uncertainty. The show follows William Shakepeare’s remaining acting troupe members through their race to collect his works and compile them into a book. With the dregs of false publishing and the scheming dog-hearted liars the characters meet along the way, the feat is anything but simple. 

“I think the themes in this show all revolve around loss, and how to deal with it,” senior Morgan Bell said. “Whether it be a loss of someone you love, an item you value, a feeling that you cherish, this show challenges the audience to think about how to treat these situations, and more importantly, how to move on from these things.”

The process began in early November. Actors have worn masks throughout rehearsals and are even using face microphones for the first time in a main stage play. These mics facilitate the actor’s projection over the piece of fabric. 

“I think my least favorite part is all the precautions we have to take,” sophomore Phoebe Hamburger said. “Don’t get me wrong they are so necessary for everyone’s safety, but acting with masks and having to distance from my friends isn’t my favorite. I mean I’m so used to how we were able to do shows in the past, and this is so different and strange.”

While the play does take place in the 1600’s, the language in the play is not written in iambic pentameter or even overloaded with Shakespearian english. If anything, audience members will learn a few new words from Shakeapere’s plays while following along with the more easily digested language in Gunderson’s.

“Even for non-fans of Shakespeare, this show is filled with comedy and delight throughout the show, and the majority is spoken in common English so it’s understood by all,” sophomore Justin Doud said.

Book of Will took the place of the department’s musical this year due to safety and financial concerns. In order to keep the performance safe, there are only 200 out of 850 seats available for each performance. Tickets can be purchased online for $5 or at the door for $10.

“I really hope a lot of people come to see this show,” junior Delaney O’Neill said. “It is so heartwarming, heartbreaking, and hilarious. There is such a sense of love within family and a community working together to preserve a legacy.”