BY ANY OTHER NAME

Billie Fulford-Brown and Laura Benanti narrate alternating chapters in this dual-timeline novel about two playwrights: one history's most famous writer, the other a contemporary unknown. In 1581, Emilia Bassano is the actual author of the great plays now attributed to the Stratford glove-maker's son, William Shakespeare. In the present, Melina Green is a playwright who is having difficulty getting her work produced. The frustrated Melina is portrayed by Benanti in a strident voice that reflects her anger. Benanti's performance contrasts with Fulford-Brown's soft-spoken, melodic portrayal of Emilia. Rehearsal skits echoing Emilia's life, performed by talented voice actors, are interspersed between the two timelines. In this production listeners are treated to a contemporary play and multiple selections from Shakespeare's plays and poems. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]