Road Less Traveled Productions started its new season paying homage to some of the greats. The first offering – The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson – is a co-production with Shakespeare in Delaware Park to honor its 50th anniversary, and by tacit design, the work and the collaboration honor the life and legacy of SDP creator Saul Elkin. And yes, the words of the Bard ring out through the entire production, in obvious and charmingly sneaky ways.

In brief, the Bard has passed three years hence, and his King’s Men are keeping his legacy alive through their productions. Alas, they are aging, too, and there are young upstarts in town who are mounting shows of their own which are re-interpreting (read: bastardizing) the great man’s work. Henry Condell (David Marciniak), John Heminges (Gregory Gjurich), and Richard Burbage (Peter Palmisano) – aided by their brides Elizabeth Condell (Rebecca Elkin), Rebecca Heminges (Lisa Ludwig), and daughter Alice Heminges (Amanda Funiciello) – decide to use an emerging technology (printing!) to preserve the comedies, tragedies, and histories penned (OK, quilled) by their friend Will. “Publish or vanish,” cried Heminges! And if they indeed publish a folio (read RLTP’s program insert for wonderful explanations; a folio is an honored way to print a special work for saving), will anyone ever pay attention? “Half the country can’t read,” according to Heminges. But where are these original works? They scour their homes to find their parts and pages and with the help of a scribe (Jeremy Kreuzer) who secretly wrote down some of his favorite passages, they manage to assemble enough content to make a first folio. They have competition: printer William Jaggard (craftily played by David Lundy) already has designs on such a project in a cheaper and cheesier format. What will prevail: profit or passion?

This is a perfect (and substantial) cast for sure. The Marciniak-Palmisano-Gjurich trio is a study in what true friendship means (this is the heart of Gunderson’s story) plus they are funny as all get out, too. I loved how distinct they made each character, with Condell’s insistence that Pericles not be over-looked (sidebar: guess what is on the 2026 SDP schedule?), Heminges’ flair for the romantic, and Burbage’s fiery temper, I felt their deep kinship in my heart. Their enthusiasm for this project shine in the eyes of their loved ones, too, another reminder that these are the people who should share our lives.

There’s some fun double-casting, too. Ludwig shifts to be Will’s widow and Funiciello to Will’s daughter and they are equally lovely. Jake Hayes doubles as Jaggard’s son and Norm Sham and Isaiah Brown wear multiple hats, too. Melinda Capeles doubles up and does some fine gender-bending, as well. So special to co-mingle members of the RLTP ensemble and the SDP casts for these roles, which must have Saul smiling down on all.

Hurley’s solid direction has the cast making fine use of Dyan Burlingame’s wonderfully designed stage (yes, it’s a bit of an illusion and no, you in the audience are indeed still sitting in a straight line). Todd Warfield’s costumes are period-perfect, along with detailed props, and lighting effects.

Gunderson’s script is peppered with occasional pastiche of familiar Shakespeare snippets, and I’m sure all my English teachers are proud that I could identify each source. These were the fine little moments in an overall engaging script. Yes, I wiped away a few tears for friendships lost and laughed heartily at some well-crafted phrases. It was all so good. Theatre Companion (not a Shakespeare fan by his own admission) didn’t find it nearly as funny or as moving as I did, but methinks he was in the minority. (Wanted: Theatre Companion with a more open mind. j/k.)

The Book of Will runs a little over two hours with an intermission to enjoy the lovely RLTP lobby offerings to October 19. Find tickets and details at http://www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org.