The Book of Will

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The Setting

1619-1623

London and Stratford upon-Avon, England

There will be one 15-minute intermission between acts.

A Word on Quartos and Folios

A Word on Quartos and Folios:

From the introduction of printing in the late 15th century, poems and plays were typically printed in quartos, while the larger folios were used for religious works. The quarto format was made by folding a large sheet of printing paper twice, forming 4 leaves with 8 pages. The average quarto measured 7 by 9 inches and was typically made up of 9 sheets, giving 72 total pages. Quartos cost about a penny. The First Folio, on the other hand, was close to 1,000 pages, and cost one pound-a year's wages for a skilled tradesman. About 750 copies of the First Folio were printed and sold in 1623; approximately 230 of them are known to be still in existence. The highest price ever paid for a First Folio was 9.9 million dollars in 2020.

In Act Two, you will see the process by which a folio was assembled.

Without the First Folio, over half of Shakespeare's plays would have been lost to us today since they had not been previously published as quartos. This year the First Folio turns 400 years old. It is considered one of the foundational texts of the English language.

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Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Amuri Mathis

Boy Hamlet

Amuri Mathis is a 7th grader at Chisholm Middle School. He was most recently in both the summer teen productions. This is his first adult production and his third overall Gaslight production. He is very fortunate and grateful for this opportunity he was given. You can also see him in the upcoming play, "A Christmas Story."

Alex Johnson

John Hemminges

Alex Johnson was most recently on stage as Hamlet for Gaslight's 30th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park. A native of Virginia, he worked professionally with the Richmond Shakespeare company, before moving out to Enid. A frequent presence on the Gaslight stage, he is delighted and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a warm and supportive production. All the love in the world to his darling wife Bailey, and their three cats.

Mike Weatherford

Henry Condell

Mike Weatherford Last seen in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, in Gaslight's Turpin Theater, Mike absolutely loves this wonderful story by Lauren Gunderson. Mike has been a part of countless productions in his 46 years on the Gaslight stage and he is thrilled to be sharing the stage once again with his friends. After all, that's what it's all about, friends coming together to achieve what others say is impossible. He would also like to say thank you to his wife of 47 years, Paula, his biggest fan.

Brice Donaldson

Richard Burbage

Brice Donaldson is thrilled to play Richard Burbage, one of Shakespear's most famous players. It's a great part in a great show.

Adrian Betz

Alice Hemminges

Adrian Betz has been acting at Gaslight for the last 12 years. You may have seen her as Alice in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in January of this year. She has also been in the last six Shakespeare in the Park productions. Adi absolutely loves Shakespeare and wants to thank Christianne for taking a chance on her to play a different kind of "Alice" in this tribute to the master himself. This has been an amazing opportunity and a welcome challenge.

Kayla Elmore Beech

Rebecca Henninges

Kayla Elmore Beech is thrilled to be part of her third Gaslight production. You last saw her as Reynaldo in this year's Hamlet. She is proud to be part of the 30th year celebration of Shakespeare in the park. Kayla started acting as an "audience plant" in westerns at Old Tucson Studios in the summer of 2000. She was active in speech and debate throughout high school. Kayla took a long break from acting to focus on her family. It was when she started appearing in local Evans Drug commercials that she realized she needed to get back on stage. She is extremely grateful to Christianne for casting her as the Fruit Seller and later trusting her to take on the role of Rebecca Hemmings. Kayla is looking forward to this December when she gets to share the stage with her daughter for the first time in "A Christmas Story."

Catina Sundvall

Elizabeth Condell

Catina Ley Sundvall is honored to be a part of this wonderful story. Last seen as Baruska in Once the Musical and Olive in the Odd Couple. She is already at work for her next production A Christmas Story, opening in December. Constant love to Ginny and Nathan, who are also part of this play. Later.

Jene-Rene White

Ben Jonson

Jean-Rene' M. White is a retired veteran. He has spent time as a professional actor for 8 years and currently living in northern Enid.

Venson Fields

Ed Knight

Christopher McDaniel

Ralph Crane

Christopher is honored to even be mentioned in the same program as these fine actors. He feels it’s a great privilege to be able to share this art with the theatre loving public. He thanks his wife for putting up with the long hours and Christianne Chase and Mitchel Walters for casting him.

Ginny Shipley

William Jaggard

Ginny Shipley is happy to play William Jaggard, the old blind man in this show. She is happy to be working with Catina and Nathan once again! Thanks, Christianne for trusting me with the role!

Brendon Arnold

Isaac Jaggard

Brendon Arnold is honored to be playing Isaac Jaggard in "The Book of Will" with such a talented cast and crew. He has greatly enjoyed this creative project and is grateful for the opportunity to continue becoming more involved with Gaslight productions. Brendon would like to thank his friends, new and old alike, and his family for giving him the encouragement and feedback necessary to grow as an actor.

Ben Ezzell

Marcus

Ben Ezzell has grown up at the Gaslight, first appearing at twelve years old in 1998’s production of Shadowlands (also directed by Christianne) and more recently as Iago in 2015’s Othello and as Titus Andronicus in 2017. He will next be seen in the audience of A Christmas Story, watching his daughter Nora continue the tradition as the third generation of the Ezzell family to find friends and a home at this theatre.

Lily Loughman

Compositor/Susannah Shakespeare

Lily Loughman is a junior at OBA and has been part of the Gaslight family for 10 years. She most recently directed the Teen Summer Production "The List", Humpty Dumpty and The March Hare in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", and Ms Darbus in OBAs production of "Highschool Musical". Having been in 6 consecutive years of Shakespeare in the Park, she is thrilled to be part of this production that honors the works of Shakespeare, and the people who preserved it so audiences could enjoy it today. She thanks Christianne for making her a part of this experience.

Ashley McConnell

The Dark Lady

Ashley McConnell has been a part of the Gaslight family for 4 years now. She was last seen on stage as a part of the "Once" ensemble this summer. She is so thankful for all the friends and "family" that she has found through the theater and can't wait to showcase the snarky Dark Lady.

Donna Patocka

Anne Hathaway Shakespeare

Donna Patocka is thrilled to be on stage, again, AND with so many of her creations "brought to life"! She thanks Christianne for pushing her creativity, her mother for teaching her to sew decades ago, and Randy for always being her rock and for running lines.

Frank Baker

Sir Edward Dering

Frank Baker is happy to portray Sir Edward Dering on Oct. 21st, the night of Gaslight’s 30th Anniversary Celebration of Shakespeare in the Park. As this year’s Gaslight President, he invites you to enjoy our entire season!

Brett Wilenzick

Sir Edward Dering

Brett Wilenzick makes a welcome return to the Gaslight stage as Sir Edward Dering. Some of Brett's most memorable roles are Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps and Detective Marcus in Murder for Two. He music-directed summer musicals RENT, Young Frankenstein, and Mamma Mia! Brett has enjoyed getting to know this marvelous cast and is always happy to put on a cape and a hat!

Denise Ritchie

Fruit Seller

Denise is thrilled to be back at the Gaslight Theatre and performing in The Book of Will. Other productions she was in were War of the Worlds, The Pillowman, Seussfied Christmas Carol, and Julius Ceaser. She is also enjoys working with talented people where she is learning and developing her craft.

Lori Lee

Print Shop

Lori Lee is excited to be part of this amazing production. This is her second experience as part of a stage crew and her first experience as a member of the ensemble. She is so impressed by the talent of the director, cast and crew and thankful for the patience they have shown her. She is especially grateful to Christianne for the opportunity to work on this wonderful show.

Christianne Chase

Director, Costume Design, and Milliner

Director Christianne Chase is thrilled to be bringing The Book of Will to the Gaslight stage. She holds a degree in European History from Phillips University where she loved Shakespeare classes taught by Dr. Shades. Christianne began her theatre career as a teen and has lost count of how many shows she's been in or directed. She does know, however, that The Book of Will is her 30th collaboration with dear friend and Assistant Director Mitch Walters. She is grateful to him, and to all her family and friends for their unfailing support. Most of all, she wants to thank this incredible cast and crew for the energy, intelligence, imagination, and creativity they've brought to this most special production.

Mitch Walters

Assistant Director/Set Design

Mitch, along with his partner in crime, Ken Kelsey, has designed more than 25 shows for the Gaslight. He has also been stage manager for most of Christianne Chase’s shows since 2006. He was lured out of retirement to assist in mounting this delightful script, and with this cast it became a labor of love.

Justin Blasier

Technical Director

Studying at Full Sail University and drumming professionally for almost 25 years... Justin has the skill, ear, and abilities to record, mix, master, and produce your music on top of being a world class live and studio drummer. Drumming, Mixing, Engineering, and Assisting on many projects including: Robert Allen, Lisbon, The Peachtrees, Backstage Pass, and more! Justin owns and operates Blasier.Pro LLC along with his wife Taylor. They create a variety of media content for many brands and organizations in Oklahoma.

Ashley McConnell

Stage Manager

Ashley McConnell is honored to have been asked to multitask for this show. Stage managing is her one of favorite parts to audition for and she’s thankful for being trusted with this responsibility.

Ken Kelsey

Set Design

Evan Chermack

Head Carpenter

Donna Patocka

Costume Design/Head Costumer

Diana Bledsoe

Costume Assistant

Blake Recknagel

Lighting Design

Whitney Hall

Sound and lighting technician

Nathan Sundvall

Projectionist

Donors

For this relief, Much Thanks (Hamlet Act I)

TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

Park Avenue Thrift

Greenbrier Village

PDQ Printing

Dawn Muncy

Uptown Florist

Blasier.Pro

Mitch Walters

Karen Loughman

Tammy Wilson

Jezebel's Emporium and Tea Room

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