Reviewed by Dave S:
I love this book. It's a well presented and clearly organized guide to the influencial artform of Commedia. While it does provide interesting historical information, the real value of this book is the focus on many of the stock character types that are at the center of Commedia shows. Rudlin explains how the characters worked, what they looked like, and how they related to each other in improvised plots. If you don't know much about Commedia, then read this book and learn about one of the original improvisational theater artforms. You'll be inspired to apply some of these historical concepts to your improv work today.

Reviewed by Dave S:
How do you come up with your character's reality? Where did that reference come from? How do we actually create scenes? This complex, beautiful, and enlightening book discusses the ideas behind instantaneous creativity. While the book does not discuss theatrical or comedic improv specifically, it does provide insight into that magical place in our minds where improvisation happens. It uses examples of improvisation in other artforms such as music and painting but the fundamental concepts apply to all forms of spontaneous expression. Fascinating and deep - you'll have to read it more than once.

Reviewed by Jeff G:
There is enough useful information is this book to fill a pamphlet. It purports to have 20 exercises that each could cover class-length improv workshops. It also contains a script for a performance of Wedding improv that is a parody of Tony and Tina’s wedding. I have an exercise for you to try- “Parody” something that is already a satire and then explain to me why it’s not a rip-off. So is this book. Spend your money elsewhere.

Reviewed by Dave S:
This book delivers exactly what is promises - a big list of scenarios, most of which center around some sort of relationship conflict. It is intended to be an aid during the improv rehearsal and excercise process. Not all of the premises are ingenious but overall this can be a usefull reference to provide a starting point for your scenes.

Reviewed by Jeff G:
If your fresh off the turnip truck in improv this is the book is for you, it covers the basics in a very nuts and bolts fashion. Students with few workshops under their belt will find it frustratingly simple. Not much theory is discussed here, so the only way to truly benefit from this book is the discoveries that you will find through actually performing the suggested exercises. I doubt any teacher of improv would really have anything new to pass on to their students from this, it’s more like for teachers too lazy to draw up their own lesson plans.

Reviewed by Dave S:
Contemporary improvisational comedy theater is only about fifty years old. And during the last fifty years, no other place on earth has shaped the artform like Chicago, Illinois. The Compass, The Second City, ImprovOlympic, Annoyance Productions, GayCo, The Noble Fool, The Players Workshop... The list goes on and on - Many consider the Windy City to be the birthplace of improv. Author Rob Kozlowski provides a historical view of Chicago's improv scene. This book is very interesting and will appeal to you if you are an improv junkie. The casual scene player who has never set foot in Chicago may not care as much.

Reviewed by Dave S:
"The" book. If you improvise and you haven't read this then something is wrong. It is considered by many to be the best book on the subject of comedy improvisation. While the book is not for beginners, it is clearly written and explains the Harold format which the book modestly calls, "the most exciting, innovative, funniest advanced form of improv yet devised." But you'll forgive the book for being full of itself because all in all, the text defines the contemporary artform of improvisation and reminds us that the best improv comes from underlying emotional truth. Read it, then read it again.