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Rating: 
Summary: For die-hard RSC fans only
Review: As both an amateur actor and somebody who just appreciates a good laugh, I'm a big fan of just about everything the Reduced Shakespeare Company has done... however, reading this book by two of the RSC members was something of a let-down.Reed and Austin, if I may call them that, presume a bit too much familiarity as they write. I got the jokes and the tone they intended, but I also got the impression that anyone who wasn't already familiar with their work would have been left pretty cold. "Who are these guys? Where do they get off?" is a response I imagine them getting. Also, while the alternating-chapter device is cute, each of them employs a running gag (in Reed's case, the story of tormenting a poor Pastor, in Austin's, struggles with his own Atheism) that really meander and get stale for about half of the book before you realize that, rather than gags, these are actually attempts at a plot. I really would have preferred they'd gotten rid of these segments and just concentrate on what does work -- the satire. And when they concentrate on what they're good at, it's great. Reed's chapter on the story of Moses, which he mixes up with the film career of Charlton Heston, is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time. But the good stuff is too few and far-between for the casual reader. If you're a die-hard fan of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, it's worth it. Otherwise, you'd be better off reading some of their other stuff first.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tasty, Pop Culture, Bible Smoothie!
Review: I think it's safe to say that there probably aren't any other books out there that put stories from The Bible into a blender with references to Oprah, Harry Potter, Pink Floyd, and K-Tel Records and hit "puree"! At least not with such delicious results. The authors are members of the renowned Reduced Shakespeare Company - and their irreverant and witty spirit is intact in this book. Who else but these two brilliant, misguided fools would tell the "Story of Moses' and include bits of Planet of the Apes and Indiana Jones? Funny is funny and they're funny. The book gives the reader an accessible look at the stories of the Bible (as well as the mental and physical breakdowns of both authors during the writing of the book!). I particularly enjoyed the little details -- even the Foreword and Bibliography is funny. DO NOT miss reading the Index (which is my personal favorite part of the book). The section on the parallels between The Bible and Hollywood are a direct hit. I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to have their funny bone tickled. I would also check out their other books of the plays they've performed -- they're really great too.
Rating: 
Summary: Crying as I write
Review: Okay, so I haven't read it yet. And I emphasize yet. I only just looked at the sample pages and the index and already my dad is coming to see why I've fallen off of my chair. Yoko Ono (see Antichrist) is simply priceless. I'm buying this book if it kills me.
Rating:
Summary: Crying as I write
Review: Okay, so I haven't read it yet. And I emphasize yet. I only just looked at the sample pages and the index and already my dad is coming to see why I've fallen off of my chair. Yoko Ono (see Antichrist) is simply priceless. I'm buying this book if it kills me.
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