The Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department will present Lauren Gunderson’s contemporary play The Book of Will, a love letter to the theatre about friendship, art, and the heart-achingly fragile nature of nearly everything. The action unfolds three years after the death of William Shakespeare as his friends and fellow actors realize that they alone hold his plays in their memories and in their scattered collections of unpublished scripts. Together they set out to preserve his plays and his legacy for future generations of theatregoers. Their efforts against all odds express not only their love of theatre, but also their shared humanity and devotion to their friend.

The show will run for two weekends only October 17-27, in the Mendocino College Center Theatre on the Ukiah Campus. Performances will run for two weekends only.  Tickets are available at the Mendocino Book Company and online at www.ArtsMendocino.org.  According to director Reid Edelman, “this is truly one of the most beautiful plays I’ve ever encountered; it is just bursting with heart.” Due to some mature language, the production is appropriate for audiences ages 13 and older.

Performances are Thursday, Friday & Saturday October 17, 18, & 19 at 7:30 PM, and Thursday, Friday & Saturday October 24, 25 & 26 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday October 27at 2 PM.  Tickets ($20 general; $15 students and seniors) are available at the Mendocino Book Company and online at www.ArtsMendocino.org.  The performance on Friday October 18 is a gala opening night celebration, and for this performance, the ticket price includes a food and beverage reception starting one hour before the show.  The performance on Saturday October 19 benefits the Mendocino College Foundation and student scholarships.  A free glass of wine is included with the ticket price for this performance.  Thursday October 17 is a “pay what you wish” preview. The performance on Thursday October 24 is a special discount night, with all tickets costing only $10.   For information, call (707) 468-3172.