In 1999, a call for a moratorium on producing Shakespeare came from, of all places, the ranks of the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company. Director Matthew Warchus' idea sounded like one the most thought-provoking theatrical arguments to be put forward in the last quarter-century. "We've had Shakespeare musicals," Warchus said, "we've had Shakespeare in the nude. The only thing we haven't done culturally is not perform him for ten years--which is something someone should try."

It's a compelling, intriguing point: Can the work of one dramatist be so frequently produced--overproduced, perhaps--that the qualities which make the plays so universal, so beloved, and so perfect devolve into a h[...]