Ridiculous!: The Theatrical Life and Times of Charles Ludlam

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Ludlam's life. The author does a terrific job explaining the origins of both Ludlam's talent and his powerful (and often exasperating) personality. Of course, the book can't be as much fun as the shows were, but it is nonetheless an exciting and full account of one of the true originals of our theatrical times. I do agree with the reviewer who says that a postscript about the Ridiculous post-Ludlam would have been nice, but the book still deserves the highest praise for capturing a tricky subject so clearly.

Ludlam was probably one of the most important and influential figures in American theater over the last hundred years. But sources of information on his work and life have been fragmentary at best.At last a comprehensive book on Ludlam. This book corrects a lot of the gossip and is more insightful on the relationship between an artists life and work than nearly any other biography I have ever read. This book is refreshingly frank--even on the shortcomings of its sources. Really an astonishingly sharp look at an underdocumented corner of our culture.I heard the author speak a few years back and the book was completed then but could not find a publisher. I am baffled as to why since this is such a superior piece of work.Not to be read while drinking egg drop soup.