Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...Wilhelm digs deep into the experience of being othered as a trans person and draws parallels between the othered folks that Shakespeare made sure to represent (from gender-bending to working-class people to people of foreign descent). They also delicately note that their reflection on Shakespeare necessarily involves their own reflections on themself, echoing Shakespeare’s “The purpose of playing . . . is to hold, as ‘twere, a mirror up to nature”—the magic essence of all art."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...n a forceful and captivating performance, Will Wilhelm plays the part of themself in the ambitious, highly spirited one-person show “Gender Play, or what you Will.” Funny, poignant, and original, the story is largely a reflection on what means to be an actor, what it means to be trans, and what it means to be both at the same time!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...This incredibly original theatrical production isn’t exactly a play. It’s more like a Happening or an Event. The entire audience is made to feel welcome, unique and important. Whether straight, gay or something else, we all feel at home and accepted, thanks to Wilhelm. After all, we’ve been invited to a peppy, perky party that just happens to take place in a theatre. Two Wills are our hosts, and through them we discover our own will to just be ourselves. There’s a whole lot of fun, plenty of comedy, some deeply moving ideas, a bit of good advice, and a plethora of new concepts and information to take home, all thanks to Will and Will."
Buzznews.net - Recommended
"...Will WIlhelm, a trans actor with a serious bent for Shakespeare, takes us on a provocative journey through the playwright's works that is both funny and eye opening. About Face Theatre's "Gender Play or What You Will" is accompanied by plenty of witty dish. But this seemingly light-hearted two-hours also seeks to reset our view of those works the playwright penned between 1690 and 1713."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Wilhelm, a highly personable trans performer, is probably the perfect person to take us through this journey, which includes telling several personal anecdotes along with delivering some of the most wonderful monologues and sonnets ever written and contextualizing them in the history of queerness. The conceit of the play is that Wilhelm, through a seance, actually conjured the spirit of Shakespeare himself and was able to discuss all of this with the Elizabethan poet and playwright who, we are told, was totally queer."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...It’s not an easy task to recontextualize a set of plays and poems that have been infinitely recontextualized over the course of more than four hundred years, but though tarot, dance parties, and above all, queerness, Wilhelm and Murray have managed to do just that. Whether you’re a Shakespeare devotee like me or would normally pass on his work, do yourself a favor and come see this show. It’s something truly special."
