What a joy it was for Woodland Shakespeare Club to meet on-site again at the Woodland Methodist Church in the post-COVID program year 2022-2023.

Following the theme “Living the Shakespeare Life or Greatness Thrust Upon Him,” women of the club tackled the question: “How does Shakespeare, after 500 years, continue to be so popular, his plays showing up in so many creative performances and venues?”

In October, WSC discussed James Shapiro’s book, “1599,” an in-depth look at a single year in Shakespeare’s development that proved monumental to his artistic and financial status as well as the course of literature.

November followed with discussion of another pivotal event that further solidified Shakespeare’s reputation and put Stratford on the map. What Blest Genius?

“The Jubilee that Made Shakespeare” is Andrew McConnell Scott’s account of the 1769 extravaganza that “was a unique cultural moment—a coronation elevating Shakespeare to the throne of genius…except it was a disaster.”

Poor planning, not enough lodging, and continuous rain worked to make what should have been a glorious salute to Will into a sopping wet, muddy circus. Still, somehow it worked.

“Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare Classic Novels,” by Gareth Hinds, a graphic novel adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s more controversial plays was December’s book. Discussion examined the power of illustration to interpret the power of Shakespeare’s dramatic words and popularize his plays, and in January, WSC studied a new play, “Bernhardt/Hamlet” by Theresa Rebeck, focusing on male and female roles as well as the dramatic impact of translation and poetry.

This play tells the story of Sarah Bernhardt’s courageous quest to play one of Shakespeare’s most demanding male characters at a time when women had very little power in society, much less the theater.

The rest of the program year highlighted actors who made Shakespeare famous, the controversy over who wrote the plays, and some of the plays’ most famous speeches.

Discussion in February of “Great Shakespeare Actors” by Stanley Wells focused on the life and work of 40 stage actors he believed best represented characters in Shakespeare’s plays. In March, Mark Twain’s “Is Shakespeare Dead?” ignited debate over various controversies about who exactly wrote the plays. And, to end the year, in April, several WSC members recited speeches from some of the bard’s most famous works based on selections from “Speaking Shakespeare” by Patsy Rodenburg.

Members were given a compact personalized WSC journal and each month asked to respond to questions such as “When did you first encounter Shakespeare,” and “What is/are your favorite Shakespeare plays?”

The program for 2023-2024, beginning in October, is “Seven Sisters: Stars Among Women.”

The Program Committee noted it is “excited about delving into the lives of women who stepped out of ‘normal’ female roles and accomplished extraordinary feats.” Books for programs include “Love and Fury” by Samantha Silva (October), “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd (November,) “The Bohemians” by Jasmin Darznik (December,) “The Other Einstein” by Marie Benedict (January,) “The Woman Behind the New Deal” by Kirstin Downey (February,) “A Woman of No Importance” by Sonia Purnell (March), and “Just as I Am” by Cicely Tyson (April.)

The joint venture of WSC and The Woodland Tree Foundation to host Poetry Under the Oak at City Park to celebrate Arbor Day in March was cancelled due to rain on two consecutive Sundays. Hopefully, it will return next year with the community encouraged to participate by reading poems about trees, parks, nature, and Shakespeare, of course.

Membership in the WSC is limited to 50 members; prospective members are sponsored by active members who have been in the club at least five years. Two occasions during the seven-meeting program year include the January Tea and April Luncheon. These special meetings are open to guests invited by current members.

Women interested in learning more about WSC can email President Roberta Boegel at 746.43rab@gmail.com.