Shakespeare at 400: Scenes from and Discussion of 'The Book of Will' by Lauren Gunderson

Arizona State University presents scenes from "The Book of Will" by Lauren Gunderson, a modern, comedic look at how the Bard’s plays became the First Folio. The performance by ASU and community actors will be followed by a Q&A with actors, director, and a Shakespeare scholar.

About "The Book of Will": Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like “Romeo and Juliet.” But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever! After the death of their friend and mentor, the two actors are determined to compile the First Folio and preserve the words that shaped their lives. They’ll just have to borrow, beg and band together to get it done. Amidst the noise and color of Elizabethan London, "The Book of Will" finds an unforgettable true story of love, loss, and laughter, and sheds new light on a man you may think you know.

This event is part of ASU Humanities Week.

Free and open to the public; the event will be livestreamed. No registration is necessary. Parking is available for a fee ($12 for 3 hours) at the Fulton Center Garage, 300 E. University Dr., Tempe.

Shakespeare at 400: From Fiction to Fact is an ASU celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio, the first published collection of 36 of Shakespeare’s plays.