Promethean Theatre Ensemble: The Book Of Will
Jared Dennis, Ben Veatch
Promethean Theatre Ensemble Presents THE BOOK OF WILL Review - How Far Will You Go To Preserve A Legacy?
TLDR: Two company members of Shakespeare’s original acting troupe struggle with keeping their late friend’s legacy alive in The Book of Will. Set in an easily interchangeable set, our focus is on the constant challenges and also heartfelt moments these characters face as they work to create the First Folio.
Brendan Hutt, Brittani Yawn
Preserving A Legacy at Promethean
Have you ever seen an absolutely dismal Shakespeare production? Maybe it’s your favorite play, Romeo and Juliet, or MacBeth, or Hamlet and the production company completely butchers every single part of it from the casting, to the costumes, to the line delivery. You walk out of the theater shaking your head in despair and go straight to the pub to wash it all away. That’s how it feels for the remaining company members of The King’s Men, Shakespeare’s theatre troupe. He’s been dead for a few years now and all that’s left of him are his works, and even those aren’t protected.
We find John Heminges, Henry Condell, and Richard Burbage, played by Jared Dennis, Ben Veatch, and Brendan Hutt, lamenting at the pub over a pint. The neighboring theatre company’s recent production of Hamlet is an abhorrence to the play and is just one among many where companies constantly plagiarize, rewrite, and bastardize Shakespeare’s work. It takes one wake up call and a push from their families, Alice and Rebecca Heminges (Brittani Yawn and Anne Sheridan Smith) and Elizabeth Condell (Sabine Wan) for them to decide they need to take on the challenge and copyright and publish his plays to preserve his legacy.
Enjoying The Fun Moments and Reflecting In The Sad
It's an uphill battle for our group of actors on a mission, but luckily they move easily from place to place in a two sided set. One side hosts chairs, tables, and long benches and it easily becomes the pub, the bedroom, and different homes. Jesús Barajas pulls a page drying rack out from behind a curtain and becomes the “don’t touch anything” apprentice at the printing shop.
All the actors playing multiple roles get to play and have fun with their characters. James Lewis plays an over the top Ben Jonson as he bawdily flirts with Alice, who rolls her eyes and brushes off his advances with ease. Lewis attempts to finish a bottle of whiskey as he cries to Heminges about the tragedies of life while also capturing Jonson’s pompous, academic air.
What’s also touching about the characters is the humanness they bring. When John experiences a tragedy, we find Dennis sitting on the floor of a darkened theatre, at a loss of what to do. Henry sits beside him as Veatch always presents a calming and determined presence. Together they create a softness and vulnerability to these men as they work through their emotions during this overwhelming project.
The Book of Will also takes a few liberties to add importance and shed light on how history may have forgotten some other important figures who assisted in this publication. All the women in John and Henry’s lives become the force behind the idea. Yawn puts her comedic chops to use as she says nothing, but we see everything in her facial expressions. Smith and Wan give their husbands the push they need to get this done and we see the loving relationships between all of them.
Jared Dennis, Kevin Sheehan
The After Party Thoughts
The cast members are all funny in different ways, from the overworked script manager (Kevin Sheehan) to the town crier (Barajas), this cast truly embodies there are no small parts only small actors as each member of the company creates unique and enjoyable personalities. The Book of Will is mostly comedic as all our characters manage to navigate these situations and find the jokes in the obstacles. But it’s also heartfelt as our two main guys deal with every single challenge, both personal and with the project. Even though they knew there were bound to be obstacles along the way, by the end when we see that giant bound book and the music swells, we feel the momentous occasion and what we would have lost without it.
For those that are looking for an action packed night out or don’t really have an interest in how Shakespeare’s works survived history, then this show most likely isn’t for you. But if you’re in the mood for a mostly true show about how we have many of Shakespeare’s works that’s cute and funny, The Book of Will would be a good fit for you.
RECOMMENDED
Ben Veatch, Sabine Wan
When
Now through October 25, 2025
Where
The Den Theatre
1331 N Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Runtime: 2hrs 10min, including intermission
Tickets
$25+
Tickets can be purchased through the Den Theatre website
Photos
Steven Townshend | Distant Era
Johnathan Perkins, Brendan Hutt, Kevin Sheehan
CAST
Jared Dennis (John Heminges)
Ben Veatch (Henry Condell)
Brendan Hutt (Richard Burbage / William Jaggard)
Kevin Sheehan (Ed Knight / Isaac Jaggard)
James Lewis (Ben Johnson / Barman 2 / Sir Edward Dering)
Johnathan Perkins (Ralph Crane / Barman / Compositor / Francisco)
Jesús Barajas (Marcus / Boy Hamlet / Crier / Bernardo)
Anne Sheridan Smith (Rebecca Heminges / Anne Shakespeare)
Sabine Wan (Elizabeth Condell / Emilia Lanier / Fruit Seller / Marcellus)
Brittani Yawn (Alice Heminges / Susannah)
Michelle Perry (u/s Elizabeth / Rebecca)
Andie Dae (u/s Alice)
Alexander Garza (u/s Marcus / Ralph Crane)
Chris Lysy (u/s Henry Condell / John Heminges)
Andre Colin (u/s Ben Johnson / Ed Knight / Isaac Jaggard)
CREATIVE
Beth Wolf (Director)
Rachel M. Sypniewski (Costume Designer)
Trevor Dotson (Scenic Designer)
Jeremiah Barr (Technical Director / Props Designer)
Jackson Mikkelsen (Lighting Designer)
Alex Trinh (Sound Designer)
Courtney Abbott (Intimacy Director)
Erin Galvin (Stage Manager)
Samantha Barr (Production Manager)
Chase Wheaton-Werle (Assistant Director)
Becca Holloway (Casting Director)