Written by orange• June 15, 2026• 9:21 pm• Brea, Curtis Theatre, Review, Theater, Uncategorized

Curtis Theatre & Begins and Ends with ‘A’ present The Book of Will @ Curtis Theatre – Review

photo credit: Francis Gacad

Written by Diana M. Robles

The musical Hamilton famously explores the question, “Who tells your story?” The Book of Will, which is currently having a run at the Curtis Theater in Brea, instead asks, “Who tells your stories?”

Story:

The works of William Shakespeare continuously pass the test of time, but there was a time when their future was precarious. However, this play dives into the messy story of how his words were first preserved— something theater and literature lovers are deeply indebted for.

In a theatrical landscape plagued with bootleg versions of Shakespeare’s best works after his death. A small group of his close friends and original theater troop. Set out on the ambitious journey of publishing original and authentic versions of his words. This task, however, proved to be easier said than done. Shakespeare had his own techniques of ensuring his work wouldn’t be plagiarized or stolen, which led to there being very few full scripts. Everyone involved seemed to have different pieces of an enormous puzzle of a writing career.

Though a grueling endeavor, his friends worked through it with the help of a few unlikely allies, ultimately succeeding and publishing the first folio of Shakespeare’s works.

While it is a heartwarming telling of the preservation of art and legacy, it does feel very much like a “how the sausage gets made” story, which creative storytelling has been oversaturated with over the last decade or so (think of all the corporate and artist biopics you’ve seen at the movies). This play may pique the interest of thespians and lovers of Shakespeare over any other group.

Acting:

The Book of Will is very clearly a love letter to the works of Shakespeare. These include comedies, dramas (tragedies), and histories. So, naturally, the cast of this play needed to be fully prepared to take on all these genres, and they did so wonderfully.

Donnie Bland played multiple roles, including Hamlet, in a phony version of the play. And Robert Edward, who plays Richard Burbage, a drunken friend of the late William Shakespeare, departed from the play too early for my liking. Bland put his own personal style into each of his roles, while Edward captivated the audience with his character’s passion for precision when it comes to Shakespeare.

Kelly Frannett & Rebecca Leeds, who played husband and wife John and Rebecca Heminges, and former friends of Shakespeare. These two have wonderful, familiar chemistry on stage together that was touching, to say the least.

Costume/Set/Lighting:

This play shows the influence Shakespeare’s written words had on a variety of his friends and colleagues. It was identifiable in their every word and move, and evidently, on their clothes, too. Costume Designer Aja Bell incorporated the written words into many of the characters’ historically accurate outfits. It was an excellent touch to celebrate further what the play is all about.

The set design for the show was simple but certainly did the job. The play mostly takes place in two places: the Heminges’ family bar and the Globe Theatre, where original productions of Shakespeare’s works are produced. The transition between these two sets is as simple as removing a few props and pulling out a stage, but it makes all the difference when combined with the impressive lighting work done by Heather Harless.