Rating: 
Summary: It's bad when the whole class ranks on your book...
Review: My college professor gave us this book for our improv class. We were assigned to read the first two sections last Monday night and before the next class me and my classmates found that everybody didn't respond to the text well.
We felt it was trying to push rules and creeds on us, almost like joining a frat. We complained to the teacher and he finally admitted that he didn't even read the book before assigning it and that he, upon reading the first few chapters with us, discovered how crappy the book was.
We may all try and get refunds. Rip off city!
Rating:
Summary: Have we got a book for you! Especially if you're young!
Review: pyramid scheme n. A fraudulent money-making scheme in which people are recruited to make payments to others above them in a hierarchy while expecting to receive payments from people recruited below them. Eventually the number of new recruits fails to sustain the payment structure, and the scheme collapses with most people losing the money they paid in.
At Charna's school it's pay to play. Pay to take classes because only people who go through their one year course can play on their stages-then pay coaches if you make a team. Everybody there makes money off of the show except the players and students at ImprovOlympic.
This is where Truth in Comedy comes in! If you like constant name dropping you'll love this book!
If you love being bullied in print this text will dazzle you!
If you love being baited into a legit profession yet not take any pay for it (art for art's sake I beleive it's called. Shhh. Don't tell Art!) then this tome will tantalize you!
If you're looking to be suckered by one book this year make it Charna Halpern's TRUTH IN COMEDY! Available in most bookstores.
Rating: 
Summary: A focused, helpful improv manual
Review: So frankly, most acting books, or books that try to tell you how to "do" art make me want to hit myself over the head, repeatedly. The first half of this book is no different.It spends a lot of time initially setting ideas up, and talking about what a great guy Del Close was (which he was, but still, it gets to be a bit much). But it all starts to pay off in the second half, when we get into the specifics of the Harold. Harold is a form of improv unlike any that I've ever seen and participated in, and not to be glib, but it takes improv to the level of art. This book clearly sets out exactly how to perform the Harold: what the idea behind it was; how to interact with your teammates on stage; and how to put together the final product. It's no substitute for actually getting up and doing it, but it's not meant to be. The book is straightforward, easy to read, and pretty short. Its style is that of an elaborated outline, which makes it simple to follow, as well as to check back for relevant parts when you need them in rehearsal or class. Truth in Comedy is of course a must have for anyone taking or thinking about taking improv classes. For everyone else, it's a quick read that might make you think differently about improv as an art form. Also, it's pretty funny. Yeah, that too.
Rating:
Summary: A focused, helpful improv manual
Review: So frankly, most acting books, or books that try to tell you how to "do" art make me want to hit myself over the head, repeatedly. The first half of this book is no different. It spends a lot of time initially setting ideas up, and talking about what a great guy Del Close was (which he was, but still, it gets to be a bit much). But it all starts to pay off in the second half, when we get into the specifics of the Harold. Harold is a form of improv unlike any that I've ever seen and participated in, and not to be glib, but it takes improv to the level of art. This book clearly sets out exactly how to perform the Harold: what the idea behind it was; how to interact with your teammates on stage; and how to put together the final product. It's no substitute for actually getting up and doing it, but it's not meant to be. The book is straightforward, easy to read, and pretty short. Its style is that of an elaborated outline, which makes it simple to follow, as well as to check back for relevant parts when you need them in rehearsal or class. Truth in Comedy is of course a must have for anyone taking or thinking about taking improv classes. For everyone else, it's a quick read that might make you think differently about improv as an art form. Also, it's pretty funny. Yeah, that too.
Rating: 
Summary: If who you know makes you funny...
Review: the author of this book is a laugh riot. I had a hard time getting past the name dropping and self congradulatory, over the top story telling. The information that comes later in the book is pretty good, having studied with some of the people Ms. Halpern refers to as if she gave them birth. You are never, however, going to learn the "Harold" from a book. Go take a class and get out on stage. Stage time is everything.
Rating: 
Summary: Elementary my dear Harold
Review: The best.
(Well, ok Keith Johnstone's works are outstanding as well). Interesting that a book that is 'basic' (translation: free of pretentious doubletalk) should contain such on the mark advice and still be relatively unknown to the acting community. Yes, it does demand a sense of humor from the reader so if you are VERY SERIOUS ACTORS, I guess I should warn you that the word 'Truth' in the title is not a polemic against the Marx Brothers nor a vindication of Stanislavski. It's about---aw, hell , just read the book, will ya?
Rating:
Summary: Harold...can be learned in 60 minutes
Review: The Harold is a simple improv form that can be learned in less than a day. Good scenework never hurt a form. That's what a true improvsor has to work on. Form can be picked up quickly. We only make it seem complex in our heads. Speaking of which, this book will only trap you in yours.
BTW-The Harold was not invented by Del Close. It was adapted from a longer form called...The Harold by the Committee from decades past San Francisco. It was condensed so that Miss Halpern could get more people on stage and that puts more c@$h in her pocketbook. A much better improv book is Improvise by Mick Napier which focuses on...THE SCENE!
Rating:
Summary: This book is a MUST for any aspiring Improv Artist!
Review: The late Del Close was a legend in comedy circles - and for good reasons. The techniques he developed with Charna Halpern emphasizes that comedy should not be forced; it should come honestly from situations that are present. Forced comedy is never funny. Too bad a lot of these sitcom writers today don't know that (I mean have you ever watched Two Guys and A Girl?). I wished that I could've studied with Del but this book is definitely close enough for me. If you're thinking of going into Improv, then definitely get this book. You'll learn a lot.
Rating:
Summary: I can't wait to get to Chicago
Review: There are not five stars simply because this book does not have enough from Del Close, a man whom I hope to read about in a biography someday soon. It also isn't very well written, but it's the best improv book that I have read. Why? Integrity. This book introduces the Harold, which exposes improv in it's highest dignity. No more cheap laughs, no more insulting the intelligence of the audience. See Second City for that.
Rating:
Summary: Great Bible for a new group...
Review: These 160 pages are a great foundation for forming a comedy group. The underlying philosophy of the Harold will carry you as far as you want to go. It's also a good book to give to your spouse... your marital interactions will become much smoother and even entertaining once you learn to follow the laws of improv.
| 
