The Future’s So Bright, I Can’t Bear To Look (Nation Books/The Perseus Books Group), by Tom Tomorrow

Book Review

Feb. 02, 2009

midnight

If laughter is the best medicine, then prepare for a healthy dose of healing with Tom Tomorrow's new collection of "This Modern World" comic strips, where President Bush and Vice President Cheney are secretly radical left-wingers and Hillary Clinton won't take a hard stand on state-approved torture. The "comedy" is often tinged with the ambiguity that has shaped America's political and social landscape. While Tomorrow could be considered a mad prophet of comic doom, his humor, while provocative, is still humor at heart and seeks to strike a well-needed balance between America's dichotomous ideas of good and evil, right and wrong, and conservative vs. liberal. Since the late-'80s Tomorrow has used hilarity to forge equilibrium in our troubled times. Love him or hate him, Tom Tomorrow will force people to laugh, if only at themselves.

Comments (4)

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I was there for Figueroa's performance of "Truck S...

I was there for Figueroa's performance of "Truck Stop." It's hard to help but like that guy. The story was a bit weak, but Figueroa presented it well.
My fellow attendee and I found "An Artful Marriage" uninspired and just generally boring. The acting was fine, but the script was 10 minutes of two dull characters talking about the same old tired topics, drawing to an ultimately dull conclusion. It was 10 minutes of static.
I thought "Pecking Order," "Romantic Chemistry," and "Odd Ducks" showed the most potential. "Romantic Chemistry" and "Odd Ducks" were probably the easiest to watch as they said interesting things in interesting ways (hats off to newcomer Rodriguez). However, "RC" felt like it deserted its clever premise seemingly in order to just *get done,* while the story in "OD" ultimately slid into the same sloppiness of some of its acting, leaving the audience with little payoff for caring about the characters.
"Pecking Order" was another clever piece, but the direction was- again- sloppy in places. (Or perhaps just too permissive for loose acting instincts?) Though the potential was obvious, much of its power was lost to chaotic delivery. I really think this one just needed a couple more rehearsals where the director handed out a few more "no's."

Anonymous more than 13 years ago

Just a correction, because it was not made clear i...

Just a correction, because it was not made clear in the program, the set design and concept were created by me, and Evan Crain did the individual design and painting for the facades of the light blocks.

Anonymous more than 13 years ago

Agreed. Huge conflict of interest on this one, Fl...

Agreed. Huge conflict of interest on this one, Fletch. I'll be the first to tell anyone that the shows I write or perform in are fantastic, but I don't bely any sort of journalistic integrity when I do so. Again, Bickerstaff, you shower undeserving artists with undue praise. Neil Haven possesses the ability to type words and print them out. Hooray. Doesn't make him Will Shakespeare, capiche? Maybe next time I'm in a play, you'll let me write the review for you Russ. Whattya say?

Anonymous more than 13 years ago

As this didn’t post the first time, I shall try ag...

As this didn’t post the first time, I shall try again. Good attentions aside, you have now written a preview article and a review of a show you are involved in. It is obvious from your caveat in said review that you realize you are crossing the line here and I’m sure the Shepherd Express would never allow such a thing in their paper, but I’ll check with them on their policies. A reviewer must remain neutral when it comes to the issues they are reporting on. That’s the deal you make when you take on that position.

Anonymous more than 13 years ago