A legend of improvisational theater; Del Close is best known for discovering and cultivating the talents of John Belushi; Chris Farley; Bill Murray; Mike Meyers; and countless other comedy giants. He was resident director of Chicagos famed Second City and "house metaphysician" for "Saturday Night Live;" a talent in his own right; and one of the brightest and wackiest theater gurus ever. Jeff Griggs was a student of Closes at the ImprovOlympic in Chicago when he was asked to help the aging mentor (often in ill health) by driving him around the city on his weekly errands. The two developed a volatile friendship that shocked; angered; and amused both of themmdash;and produced this hilarious and ultimately endearing chronicle of Closes last years. With all the elements of a picaresque novel; Guru captures Close at his zaniest but also shows him in theatrical situations that confirm his genius in conceptualizing and directing improvisational theater. Between comic episodes; Jeff Griggs gives the reader the essentials of Closes biography: his childhood in Kansas; early years as an actor; countercultural exploits in the 1960s (he toured with Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters and designed light shows for the Grateful Dead); years with the Compass Players and then with Second City; and continuing experimentation with every drug imaginable; which pretty much cost him his health and ultimately his life. He was comedian; director; teacher; writer; actor; poet; fire-eater; junkie; and philosopher. "Being a really good actor does not necessarily guarantee that you will be a very good improviser;" Close liked to say. "Being an actual; complete; hopeless; wretched geek in real life doesnt disqualify you from being a solid improviser; either." He approached improv the same way he conducted his lifemdash;in bizarre; dark; and dangerous fashion. Guru captures it.
#2709538 in eBooks 2010-01-01 2010-01-01File Name: B00EENPFWW
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Another amazing entry by Neil PeartBy InvisibellaIf you read and enjoyed Far and Away; youll love this book. It picks right up where that book left off; with the bonus of even more gorgeous pictures this time around. I only wish the Kindle version of the book had high resolution pictures so we could see the majesty of the desert and the beauty of the eastern US in spring. Neils ability to tell a story is like none other. He has really honed this artist endeavor; as well as his day job with Rush.The book went by so quickly; but I feel that way about all of his books. With such mesmerising story telling; its easy to be pulled in.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Peart Keeps Getting BetterBy TruebelieverYou would think after several of his "road" books; things might become repetitious. But no; each book gets better than the last. As he gets older; his insights into travel and life mature; painting a more scenic picture than the one before . Plus the personal infusions of his life and beliefs into the less traveled roads and places he rides to; holds your attention to where you cant put the book down. Particularly enjoy the interaction and hijinx between him and the other 2 "Stooges (Michael and Brutus)" as they "shunpike" their way through America; Canada and Europe.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Another good travelogue by NeilBy TonyNeil is an observer of the world around him and that has to be kept in mind when you read his books. They are how he perceives circumstances and so forth and for the most part; I do agree with him. I enjoy his writing and his sense of humour; but there are a few times he seems...distant or removed either from those around him or from life in general. Perhaps we all do that sometimes; though.Overall; I would give this 4.5 stars. It is a good book/travelogue and worth reading.