The Early Years & Final Days of William Shakespeare ~ with Music & Songs ~
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About EVER WILL -
Book & Lyrics, Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
I wrote EVER WILL to bring William Shakespeare down to earth, allowing us to understand who he truly was as an individual—his character, circumstances, conflicts, and choices. In my play, we meet the older William, who is retiring from The Globe Theatre and returning to Stratford, where he comes to terms with the losses, betrayals, and dangers of his youth. We also encounter the younger Will, the little boy and adolescent, who faces the critical decision of whether he will ever save his family from penury or follow his star. Ultimately, he chooses both paths, which opens the door to his genius.
Composer Carlos Garza
Carlos Garza has been giving wings to my words for over 5 years now. Following the six original songs expressing emotional turning-points in Young Shakespeare's story, Carlos is currently working on "The Players Are Come!" for the beginning of EVER WILL. Another piece is based on the actual Elizabethan "Kemp's Jig," which we hear in EVER WILL when 17-year-old Will is performing. A final song is a beautiful 14th Century Troubadour love ballad that Will sings to a swooning Anne Hathaway. Audiences heard these original and traditional songs during our January staged readings and our May full productions at The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's Helen Borgers Theatre! Future audiences will also get to hear 2 new pieces, including "The Players Are Come!" and "Woodland Romance," A Dance, as they experience the magic of what will unfold on stage.
From Sold Out Staged Readings & Songs in January to Full Productions in May!
Our enthusiastic January audiences asked for more - a movie, a series, spin offs, and more music and songs! In response, we then offered them 2 full productions in May, thanks to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's selection of EVER WILL for its 2025 New Works Festival! Now we're in the process of creating the 2 new musical pieces, a song, and a dance. Look for our video preview of scenes and songs and see what will unfold next!
Executive Producer & Artistic Director Holly Leveque
Overseeing The Long Beach Shakespeare Company is Producing Artistic Director, Holly Leveque, who, like William Shakespeare, juggles casting and rehearsals, performances and marketing, board meetings and box office, and she does it with love, grace, and a playful spirit that draws a growing community who joins her in bringing each play to fruition. Like Queen Elizabeth in today's blog post, Holly rallies the troops and poets with courage and love! She first joined LBSC in 2010 and has been performing, producing, and writing in LA, studying theatre around the world, including at the Moscow Art Theatre and performing at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Netflix, and ABC. There is no doubt that her passion and dedication will ever inspire those around her.
Playwright, Lyricist, Director Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
While I had been developing and delivering public speaking workshops in the US and abroad for years, I had not been directing plays. However, I could not pass up the opportunity to work with Holly, LBSC, the returning cast members, and to stand on the shoulders of Bryan Langlitz, who had directed the staged readings so effectively. Thanks to my amazing Stage Manager, Zach Garabedian, who was on-call 24/7; the generous collaboration and expertise of our cast and crew; and a last-minute save when Holly found us the perfect singing 'Middle' Will, theater magic happened and EVER WILL, with music and songs, burst into life! Video recordings of our productions are being edited for release. I am also working with Carlos Garza on 2 new musical pieces and a production book for publication and future productions.
FULL PRODUCTIONS: Stacey Xia-Young Will, Jackson De Lange-Middle Will, Kevin McGrath-Wm Shakespeare, Zach Garabedian-Stage Manager -
STAGED READINGS & AUDIENCE: Director Bryan Langlitz, Hedy Weatherford & Stefan Grayhek as Anne & Will, Kevin McGrath as William Shakespeare -
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The Story of EVER WILL: The Beginning -
Research "How Did Shakespeare Become Shakespeare?" By Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Research "How Did Shakespeare Become Shakespeare?" By Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Research "How Did Shakespeare Become Shakespeare?" By Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
I wrote EVER WILL to bring William Shakespeare down to earth, allowing us to understand who he truly was as an individual—his character, circumstances, conflicts, and choices. In my play, we meet the older William, who is retiring from The Globe Theatre and returning to Stratford, where he comes to terms with the losses, betrayals, and da
I wrote EVER WILL to bring William Shakespeare down to earth, allowing us to understand who he truly was as an individual—his character, circumstances, conflicts, and choices. In my play, we meet the older William, who is retiring from The Globe Theatre and returning to Stratford, where he comes to terms with the losses, betrayals, and dangers of his youth. We also encounter the younger Will, the little boy and adolescent, who faces the critical decision of whether he will ever save his family from penury or follow his star. Ultimately, he chooses both paths, which opens the door to his genius.
Turn Research Into "Young Will Shakespeare"
Research "How Did Shakespeare Become Shakespeare?" By Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Research "How Did Shakespeare Become Shakespeare?" By Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Carlos Garza has been giving wings to my words for over 5 years now. Following the six original songs expressing emotional turning-points in Young Shakespeare's story, Carlos is currently working on "The Players Are Come!" for the beginning of EVER WILL. Another piece is based on the actual Elizabethan "Kemp's Jig," which we hear in EVER
Carlos Garza has been giving wings to my words for over 5 years now. Following the six original songs expressing emotional turning-points in Young Shakespeare's story, Carlos is currently working on "The Players Are Come!" for the beginning of EVER WILL. Another piece is based on the actual Elizabethan "Kemp's Jig," which we hear in EVER WILL when 17-year-old Will is performing. A final song is a beautiful 14th Century Troubadour love ballad that Will sings to a swooning Anne Hathaway. Audiences heard these original and traditional songs during our January staged readings and our May full productions at The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's Helen Borgers Theatre! Future audiences will also get to hear 2 new pieces, including "The Players Are Come!" and "Woodland Romance," A Dance, as they experience the magic of what will unfold on stage.
Give Musical Wings to My Words
Research "How Did Shakespeare Become Shakespeare?" By Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Give Musical Wings to My Words
Our enthusiastic January audiences asked for more - a movie, a series, spin offs, and more music and songs! In response, we then offered them 2 full productions in May, thanks to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's selection of EVER WILL for its 2025 New Works Festival! Now we're in the process of creating the 2 new musical pieces, a son
Our enthusiastic January audiences asked for more - a movie, a series, spin offs, and more music and songs! In response, we then offered them 2 full productions in May, thanks to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's selection of EVER WILL for its 2025 New Works Festival! Now we're in the process of creating the 2 new musical pieces, a song, and a dance. Look for our video preview of scenes and songs and see what will unfold next!
What Happened Next: Recording Songs, Fundraising & Filming -
Start Recording Songs & Fundraising
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday & Revise Play
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday & Revise Play
I wrote EVER WILL to bring William Shakespeare down to earth, allowing us to understand who he truly was as an individual—his character, circumstances, conflicts, and choices. In my play, we meet the older William, who is retiring from The Globe Theatre and returning to Stratford, where he comes to terms with the losses, betrayals, and da
I wrote EVER WILL to bring William Shakespeare down to earth, allowing us to understand who he truly was as an individual—his character, circumstances, conflicts, and choices. In my play, we meet the older William, who is retiring from The Globe Theatre and returning to Stratford, where he comes to terms with the losses, betrayals, and dangers of his youth. We also encounter the younger Will, the little boy and adolescent, who faces the critical decision of whether he will ever save his family from penury or follow his star. Ultimately, he chooses both paths, which opens the door to his genius.
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday & Revise Play
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday & Revise Play
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday & Revise Play
Carlos Garza has been giving wings to my words for over 5 years now. Following the six original songs expressing emotional turning-points in Young Shakespeare's story, Carlos is currently working on "The Players Are Come!" for the beginning of EVER WILL. Another piece is based on the actual Elizabethan "Kemp's Jig," which we hear in EVER
Carlos Garza has been giving wings to my words for over 5 years now. Following the six original songs expressing emotional turning-points in Young Shakespeare's story, Carlos is currently working on "The Players Are Come!" for the beginning of EVER WILL. Another piece is based on the actual Elizabethan "Kemp's Jig," which we hear in EVER WILL when 17-year-old Will is performing. A final song is a beautiful 14th Century Troubadour love ballad that Will sings to a swooning Anne Hathaway. Audiences heard these original and traditional songs during our January staged readings and our May full productions at The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's Helen Borgers Theatre! Future audiences will also get to hear 2 new pieces, including "The Players Are Come!" and "Woodland Romance," A Dance, as they experience the magic of what will unfold on stage.
Complete the Music & Stage this Play
Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday & Revise Play
Complete the Music & Stage this Play
Our enthusiastic January audiences asked for more - a movie, a series, spin offs, and more music and songs! In response, we then offered them 2 full productions in May, thanks to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's selection of EVER WILL for its 2025 New Works Festival! Now we're in the process of creating 2 new musical pieces, a song an
Our enthusiastic January audiences asked for more - a movie, a series, spin offs, and more music and songs! In response, we then offered them 2 full productions in May, thanks to The Long Beach Shakespeare Company's selection of EVER WILL for its 2025 New Works Festival! Now we're in the process of creating 2 new musical pieces, a song and a dance. Look for our video preview of scenes and songs and see what will unfold next!
Original Recording Artists: David Mecher, Desson Thomson, Christian Douglas, Flo Anito, Angela Watson, Jessica Arcura, Dave Coyne, Brian Lyons-Burke -
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Ever Will Rom Com Scene with Jess Be & Jesse Seann Atkinson, Emily & Sasha Host Birthday Fundraisers -
Composer, Playwright & Lyricist, Executive Producers -
Composer Carlos Garza
Our Executive Producers
Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Composer, arranger and orchestrator, Carlos Garza's life's work is music - beginning as a songwriter and musician with rock bands; performing with Rhythm and Blues, Pop and Jazz groups and then scoring films, including the 1997 award-winning THIRTEEN and three recent features on Prime Video. With his group, Silent Orchestra, Carlos re-sc
Composer, arranger and orchestrator, Carlos Garza's life's work is music - beginning as a songwriter and musician with rock bands; performing with Rhythm and Blues, Pop and Jazz groups and then scoring films, including the 1997 award-winning THIRTEEN and three recent features on Prime Video. With his group, Silent Orchestra, Carlos re-scored 14 classic works of Edgar Allan Poe, which originally accompanied a stage production.
Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
Our Executive Producers
Pamela Gilbreath Kelly
With degrees from Northwestern University and Cal State U in Northridge, and after a storied career as a stage actress, playing Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing," Ophelia in "Hamlet," Hermia in "A Midsummer's Night Dream," Julia in "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and other roles; as an acting, voice & speech coach, a public speaking & accent
With degrees from Northwestern University and Cal State U in Northridge, and after a storied career as a stage actress, playing Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing," Ophelia in "Hamlet," Hermia in "A Midsummer's Night Dream," Julia in "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and other roles; as an acting, voice & speech coach, a public speaking & accent reduction instructor at UCLA Extension, a corporate consultant & course developer in the US & abroad, and as the author of "Speak with Passion, Speak with Power," Pamela is thrilled to be returning to her roots in the theater with EVER WILL.
Our Executive Producers
Our Executive Producers
Our Executive Producers
Flanked by Emily Serebryany and Firouzeh Banki, Pamela wishes to thank them and Dr. James Dohn, Michael and Johanna Hollowich, Dr. Connie Fischer, Sandford Robbins, Jane Brockman, Ted Graeber, Rudy Vucelich, Rajkumar Rajappan, Gynene Smith, Alex Lombardi, Annie Zuckerman, Lisette Torres, Tiiu Lukk, Kim DeCelles, Richard Kline, Tina Misura
Flanked by Emily Serebryany and Firouzeh Banki, Pamela wishes to thank them and Dr. James Dohn, Michael and Johanna Hollowich, Dr. Connie Fischer, Sandford Robbins, Jane Brockman, Ted Graeber, Rudy Vucelich, Rajkumar Rajappan, Gynene Smith, Alex Lombardi, Annie Zuckerman, Lisette Torres, Tiiu Lukk, Kim DeCelles, Richard Kline, Tina Misuraca Coover, Thursa Stair, Diana Thomason, David & Kinga Attias, Seth Kibel, Nick Marconato, Jennifer Boyd, & Erica Parrish, for their generous donations.
"Your support allows us to continue moving forward with this testament to the inspiration that Shakespeare is and to his superpowers of following his star and working hard, consistently and collaboratively to support his family and be a contribution for all time!"
EVER WILL BLOG
The Case of the Missing Memorabilia
It seems odd that our greatest playwright left no memorabilia from his daily life behind, like other writers have done. There are no scribbled or doodled pages, diary entries, to-do lists, love letters, receipts, and certainly no books bearing his signature or notes in the margins. In fact, there are no books at all! After years of researching and thinking about Shakespeare and his life, I have come to an answer to the question of why no memorabilia will ever be found. Shakespeare’s primary purpose, from the time he began being paid for his work, both before and during his time in London, was to support his family in Stratford. Yes, he had a natural gift and passion for acting and writing; but his ambition was in service of this larger purpose. By developing his skills, he became more versatile and popular, more sought after and better able to keep his large family fed and sheltered—his parents, three or four siblings, his wife, and three children. At the Globe, Shakespeare’s calendar was booked 24/7 with learning lines, rehearsing, sometimes directing and performing, researching with borrowed books, writing new plays, and re-writing old plays. He was also a stockholder in charge of box office receipts. Every time the Plague shut theatres down, he earned money writing for patrons and dedicating his works to them. In short, Shakespeare led a hand-to-mouth life, scrimping and saving his earnings to support his family. It paid off, and eventually, he was able to buy them the grandest house in Stratford, in addition to large plots of investment property. This was his big purpose and the reason he left nothing personal from his daily life behind. There was simply nothing left to leave. NEXT: The Case of the Second Best Bed.
