Curtain Call Theatre Presents "The Book of Will"
When:
Sunday, May 18, 2025 2:00p -
5:00p
Repeats weekly
Sunday, May 18, 2025 2:00p -
5:00p
Repeats weekly
Where:
Curtain Call Theatre
182 Commercial Street
Braintree, MA 02184
Admission:
$25
Hosted by:
Categories:
Shows
Event website:
https://www.curtaincallbraintree.org/
CCT Brings Shakespeare’s Legacy to Life with “The Book of Will": A tribute to friendship, theater, and the unsung heroes who saved the Bard's words featuring fresh talent and a strong sense of community
Curtain Call Theatre (CCT) is thrilled to present “The Book of Will” in May 2025. Performances will take place on May 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 8:00 PM, with matinees on May 11 and 18 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased online at www.curtaincallbraintree.org.
Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have timeless masterpieces like “Romeo and Juliet”. But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we might have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever.
After the death of their friend and mentor, these two devoted actors set out on a remarkable mission: to compile the very first folio of Shakespeare’s works and preserve the words that had shaped their world. “The Book of Will” is the unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter – a behind-the-scenes look at the unsung heroes who ensured the Bard’s legacy lived on. You may know the name Shakespeare, but this is the story you’ve never heard.
The creative team behind this production includes producer and director Toni Ruscio (Weymouth), stage manager Kristiana Nogueira (Taunton), set designer Jim Gross (Weymouth), costume designer Pat Brawley (Milton), props coordinator Mary Schichtel (Braintree), and lighting designer Mark Whipple (Milton).
The cast features Jim Gross (Weymouth) as Henry Condell, Sean Keegan (Pembroke) as John Heminges, Cassidy Guimares (Pembroke) as Alice Heminges/Susannah Shakespeare, Margaret O’Brien as Rebecca Heminges/Anne Hathaway Shakespeare, Diana Costine (Milton) as Elizabeth Condell/Emilia Bassano Lanier, Mark Logue (West Roxbury) as Richard Burbage/William Jaggard, Frank Mellen (Hingham) as Ben Jonson, Casey Williamson (Quincy) as Ed Knight/Isaac Jaggard, Nick Burka (Canton) as Ralph Crane, and Ryan Guimares (Pembroke) as Marcus/Boy Hamlet/Crier.
This production marks a meaningful chapter in Curtain Call Theatre’s ongoing growth, with four of the ten cast members making their CCT debut. What they’ve discovered here goes beyond roles and rehearsals - they’ve found a creative home, and a community that celebrates every new voice that joins its stage.
“Being new to the community theater scene and not having set foot on stage for longer than I'd like to admit... to say I was initially intimidated would be an understatement,” shared Diana Costine. “But as soon as I stepped foot into Curtain Call, it felt like home. From the audition process to painting sets, and now approaching dress rehearsals, this entire experience has been beyond wonderful. It truly is a family here. There is a rare warmth and genuineness at Curtain Call. It’s something you don’t come across that often, and when you do, you want to hold onto it for as long as possible.”
“Toni and my incredible ‘The Book of Will’ family have been nothing short of amazing,” she added. “Though it is bittersweet to see this chapter coming to an end, I'm hoping this is just my beginning with Curtain Call Theatre.”
Frank Mellen echoed that sentiment: “I’ve always loved community theater and the opportunity to participate in the immediacy and intensity of a stage production. Having the chance to act in ‘The Book of Will’ at Curtain Call Theatre has been an experience I’ll never forget – stepping onstage with a small, talented cast in a wonderfully intimate theater that creates its own larger-than-life world to enthrall its audience. I couldn’t ask for a more incredible theater experience.”
Casey Williamson added, “Working on ‘The Book of Will’ with Curtain Call Theatre has been a wonderful experience. I get to rediscover a timeless playwright with a fun and creative group of people. Curtain Call provided me a new home to express myself in, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to put on this production with such a strong team!”
And for Nick Burka, joining the cast has been a creative reawakening: “Being a part of this CCT cast has been a terrific experience. It's given me the opportunity to get back in touch with my inner artist, and to get to know and collaborate creatively with a crew of other exceptionally lovely people.”
“At Curtain Call, we believe that everyone who joins us — whether as an actor, director, designer, volunteer, or patron — is part of our family,” said CCT Producing Artistic Director and show director Toni Ruscio. “We truly cherish our little family and love welcoming new members into it. Every single person on this team has been a joy to work with and collaborate alongside. Curtain Call is such a fantastic place to be, and many of our members consider it a second home. We love that!”
Tickets for “The Book of Will” are available online at www.curtaincallbraintree.org. Curtain Call Theatre is located at 182 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA.
Article Highlights
Event: “The Book of Will”
Dates: May 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8:00 PM & March 11 and 18 at 2:00 PM
Location: Curtain Call Theatre, 182 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA
Tickets: $25, available at www.curtaincallbraintree.org
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