• Theatre

    The Book of Liz

    The Book of Liz

    Renegade Theatre Experiment

    September 5-September 20, 2008

    Avg. Event Rating (4.5 Stars): 4.5 out of 5 stars rating Add Review/Comment

    Sister Elizabeth Donderstock is Squeamish, has been her whole life. She makes cheese balls (traditional and smoky) that sustain the existence of her entire religious community, Clusterhaven. However, she feels unappreciated among her Squeamish brethren, and she decides to try her luck in the outside world. Along the way, she meets a Cockney-speaking Ukrainian immigrant couple who find her a job waiting tables at Plymouth Crock, a family restaurant run almost entirely by recovering alcoholics. The alcoholics love her. The customers love her. Her Danderfrock fits right in. Things are going great for Liz, until she's offered a promotion to manager. Unfortunately, Liz has a sweating problem, and to get the job, she'll have to fix it.

    Meanwhile, back at Clusterhaven, Liz's compatriots just can't seem to duplicate her cheese ball recipe, and it's going to cost them their quaint, cloistered lifestyle. They are panic-stricken and desperate, and sure she sabotaged the recipe. Does Liz go through with the operation? Can the Squeamish be saved? Will the cheese balls ever taste good again?

    • Ticket Info

      Tickets: See website for prices.

      Buy tickets

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      September 5-September 20, 2008

      Times:
      Thurs-Sat: 8pm
      Sun: 2pm

    • Venue Info

      Historic Hoover Theater

      1635 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95126

      Full map and directions

    • Parking Info

      The Primary Parking lot for the Historic Hoover Theater is located on the Southeast side of campus at Park Avenue and Sandringham Way. Alternate parking may be found at the lot located on the Southwest side of campus on Naglee Avenue. Parking is free of charge.

    • Accessibility Info
      • Wheelchair Access
    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

    • Member Reviews
      • Event Name: Mr. Marmalade
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Giggle & Gasp & Giggle a Lot More!"
        Review posted by: Theatre Fanatic from Silicon Valley, CA, Nov 16, 2008

        How could something so disturbing be so funny!?! RTE rocks for walking the tight rope with flair! Don't miss this!

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        How could something so disturbing be so funny!?! RTE rocks for walking the tight rope with flair! Don't miss this!

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      • Event Name: Mr. Marmalade
        5 out of 5 stars rating "No Hesitation - GO SEE THIS"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, Nov 08, 2008

        90 minutes of true dark comedy. The casting, writing, acting, direction, scenic design, sound, every flippin' aspect of this show was just awesome. This is one of the top 3 shows I have seen in the... Expand

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        90 minutes of true dark comedy. The casting, writing, acting, direction, scenic design, sound, every flippin' aspect of this show was just awesome. This is one of the top 3 shows I have seen in the bay area in probably as many years. JUST great. I was crying I was laughing so hard. Yes it's twisted, sick, and certainly has its moments of edge but this is just so great! This is 2 for 2 this season for RTE and I'm so glad I went. I rarely see shows twice, but I really want to go back and catch this one again. So GREAT!!!! Collapse

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      • Event Name: Americana Absurdum
        3.5 out of 5 stars rating "Face paced rhetoric genius!"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Sep 14, 2007

        With excellent comic timing, and a script that is a jaw dropping funny, the actors are able to create a sick and entertaining performance. Yes it's odd, yes it's random, yes it makes fun of every... Expand

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        With excellent comic timing, and a script that is a jaw dropping funny, the actors are able to create a sick and entertaining performance. Yes it's odd, yes it's random, yes it makes fun of every taboo in the book just about, but it does so with clever and witty language and self awareness. This may not be for everyone but particularly the second piece is really worth seeing for some very strong character performances and wonderful turns of phrase by the playwright. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Americana Absurdum
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Absurd Hillarity"
        Review posted by: Cam from Sunnyvale, CA, Sep 11, 2007

        This show is funny. Really funny. It is a smart and humorus look at American culture which is very well acted and producted. A great way to spend the evening!

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        This show is funny. Really funny. It is a smart and humorus look at American culture which is very well acted and producted. A great way to spend the evening!

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      • Event Name: Noah Johnson
        2 out of 5 stars rating "a long evening"
        Review posted by: SJ Drowsy Chaperon from San Jose, CA, Jul 21, 2007

        Why do this show? Lots of time and effort with a production that maybe shoud not be produced. I thought this play would never be over and I looked at my watch more than once. Best spend your time and... Expand

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        Why do this show? Lots of time and effort with a production that maybe shoud not be produced. I thought this play would never be over and I looked at my watch more than once. Best spend your time and money elsewhere. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Noah Johnson
        2 out of 5 stars rating "Why Do this show?"
        Review posted by: A tired theater goer from Campbell, Jul 19, 2007

        I just don't understand the value of doing this show?? The cast has worked hard and someone had to paint the set. Why choose this show? I felt I had been there for several days even though the running... Expand

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        I just don't understand the value of doing this show?? The cast has worked hard and someone had to paint the set. Why choose this show? I felt I had been there for several days even though the running time is one hour and one-half. Please save yourself the effort. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Noah Johnson
        3 out of 5 stars rating "Profit from this performance"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Jul 16, 2007

        This is a dark and entertaining script and a fair production. Performances are even, Noah himself is the standout. This was a very challenging production to undertake and RTE certainly put in a good... Expand

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        This is a dark and entertaining script and a fair production. Performances are even, Noah himself is the standout. This was a very challenging production to undertake and RTE certainly put in a good effort. This is a very unique topic I've not seen a show on and it's well worth a look. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Noah Johnson
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Quirky and thought-provoking"
        Review posted by: Abigail Williams from Sunnyvale, California, Jul 15, 2007

        RTE has done it again. This is a nice evening out, short show, great work from the cast and an eye-popping set. Dark, brittle comedy, very timely.

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        RTE has done it again. This is a nice evening out, short show, great work from the cast and an eye-popping set. Dark, brittle comedy, very timely.

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      • Event Name: Titus Andronicus
        3 out of 5 stars rating "Stay for the second act!"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Feb 09, 2007

        Titus is a play with a lot of exposition in the first half which set up the gorey second act which is well executed in Renegade's production. A handful of performances stand out against a moetly... Expand

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        Titus is a play with a lot of exposition in the first half which set up the gorey second act which is well executed in Renegade's production. A handful of performances stand out against a moetly ensemble, and the interpretation is certainly different, though inconsistant in some parts. Over all though this play is great, and at under 2 1/2 hours it's something different. See it before its gone! Collapse

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      • Event Name: Titus Andronicus
        4 out of 5 stars rating "a bloody good time"
        Review posted by: Shakespeare dork from San Jose, Ca, Jan 29, 2007

        as you've probably figured out by the description, this aint your typical Shakespeare show. The costumes/makeup, set, lighting, and "weapons," set the tone for this grisly world, while the blood... Expand

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        as you've probably figured out by the description, this aint your typical Shakespeare show. The costumes/makeup, set, lighting, and "weapons," set the tone for this grisly world, while the blood curdling violence in the opening scene sucks you into this unforgiving world. The gruesome brutality throughout, takes the audience to a realm you wouldn't want to venture into. No life is sacred as, knives, guns, hammers, shovels, you name it, are used to reek a spiraling force of destructing on the lives of the characters. It's well worth checking out; but with all the blood and gore, this show isn't for the faint of heart. Enjoy. Collapse

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