The Birthday Party: A Play in Three Acts

by Andy Goldberg

Improv Comedy - 20th Anniversary Edition by Andy GoldbergIncludes exclusive interview with Emmy winner Bryan CranstonIMPROV COMEDY is a must-have book for any student of comedy. It is an invaluable... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0573606080
• ISBN13: 9780573606083
• Release Date: January 2011
• Publisher: Samuel French, Inc.
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 4.9" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

An excellent and approachable manual of comedy improvisation

This is an excellent manual for any improviser, no matter what level of experience he or she may have. The book is broken down into four sections: 1. An Introduction 2. The Elements 3. The Performance 4. Workshop The first section goes into the language of improv, which describes the breakdown of the scene. Character, environment, and plot are discussed in detail, as are sub-elements such as activity, attitude, conflict, specifics, point of view, and dialogue. The importance of beginning, middle, and end is covered, as is the importance of being specific. Then the four basic rules are broached: don't deny; show us, don't tell us; play the moment, and play the scene legitimately. And despite what the other reviews have erroneously suggested, the author specifically states NOT to say one-liners or make jokes. Mr. Goldberg also suggests learning from others. Without spoiling the Elements section of the book, suffice it to say that this book goes into detail about the elements of improv, CHARACTER, ENVIRONMENT, & PLOT with equal attention to detail. The Performance section goes into practical topics such as: Assembling a Troupe, Who's In Charge, Ensemble Playing, Workshopping, The Show Structure: Pacing and Variety, What To Ask For in a Suggestion, Is It All Right To Turn Down a Scene Suggestion?, The Huddle, Lighting, Music and Sound Effects, Is It Ever the Audience's Fault?, Leave Your Worries at the Doorstep, How Much of an Improv Show Is Improvised, and Originality. The Workshop section discusses: Getting Started, The Order and Choice of Exercises and Scene Setups, and a Glossary of Workshop Terms. It then goes on to describe 83 improv games! Now there is nothing wrong with Viola Spolin's works; they form the backbone of improv in the U.S.A. But this book is detailed without being overbearing about it; it's totally readable and fascinating to those who do improv...and even those who don't. Even if you are just a fan, you will find this book a page-turner. And Andy knows what he's talking about: he's been doing improv for over thirty years; he has his own improv troupe, OFF THE WALL, who still perform monthly in Santa Monica. He's worked closely with Robin Williams (they were in the same improv troupe together), John Ritter, Corbin Bernsen, etc., as well as countless producers and working actors. This book is the real work, forged from many years of experience teaching improv from a true professional. Buy it, read it, USE it. It will pay you back many times over whether you just watch improv or do improv for fun and/or profit.

This book is a great book for learning improv

If you want to learn improv I totally recommend this book. There must be dueling enemy gangs fighting it out in improv-land, because there is no way this book should be trashed like the review below. Maybe you don't think it's great, so four stars, or even three, but one star?? Somethings up with those reviewers. This is a really clear book with lots of great exercises and all the tools for building a scene and finding funny characters. They use it as a textbook in my theater department and it was one of the most fun and creative classes in the whole program.

Great Book

I heartily disagree with the other reviewers. There is a lot of really good information in this book and I strongly recommend it. Great practical advice as well as some excercises and games in the back to play with others. My copy has many dog-eared pages, asterisks and highlited sections. Buy it, read it, learn it!

Good for comics

Andy's book sticks to what he knows best, improvisational comedy, so he doesn't allow the performer much depth. Good basic improv rules and comedy exercises. Also look at "Improv! A Handbook for the Actor" by Greg Atkins and "Improvisational Theater" by Viola Spolin.

One of the Best

Goldbergs book Improv Comedy is the premiere book on improv comedy. Using all his experience in his 20+ years in the buisness he pulled it all together for this book. As an actor I'd recommend this book to anyone looking to take thier acting to the next level.