LOS ANGELES BOOK REVIEW

Because It’s Funny is a joyfully candid memoir that perfectly captures the highs and lows of a life spent in comedy. Billy Van Zandt’s career memoir, co-starring his longtime partner-in-laughter Jane Milmore, is not just an account of plays written and staged but a tribute to the gritty, glorious art of making people laugh. Written with the warmth and wit of someone who has seen it all (and taken every fall, breakaway bottle, and pie to the face imaginable), this book is a delightfully unique look at the demanding world of live theater.

Van Zandt’s stories are filled with the slapstick spirit that marks his plays. One particularly memorable account is the “silent movie on stage” production of Silent Laughter, which required nightly pie fights, pratfalls, and absurdly elaborate costumes to recreate the feel of silent film in a live theater setting. He doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges: creating a comedy that requires both the actors and the set itself to be “in on the joke” is no small feat, yet Van Zandt’s fondness for these physically demanding, laugh-a-minute productions shines through every page. His reverence for comedy’s mechanics is palpable, and he makes a convincing case that a well-executed pratfall or perfectly timed line can be as powerful as any dramatic monologue.

The partnership between Van Zandt and Milmore is the heart of this memoir, and his reflections on their creative relationship are both endearing and insightful. Their debut play, Love, Sex, and the I.R.S., born out of pure frustration with Hollywood, set the tone for the rest of their careers. While Van Zandt and Milmore’s writing method was often chaotic—penning their first play between filming scenes on the Star Trek set, with Van Zandt still in his alien makeup—their knack for writing outrageously funny scenarios was undeniable.

The book’s most satisfying parts are Van Zandt’s stories of working with the quirky, loyal cast members who became the Unofficial Van Zandt/Milmore Repertory Company. Through hysterical accounts of accidental on-stage appearances, prop malfunctions, and backstage antics, Van Zandt captures the camaraderie and chaos of live theater. These behind-the-scenes moments make it

easy to see why so many actors returned to work with them time and again; he and Milmore were clearly as dedicated to cultivating joy within their cast as they were to delivering laughs to the audience.

Because It’s Funny is an unfiltered, sometimes absurd, and always heartfelt account of what it means to be a comedian. Van Zandt’s reflections are sharp and often self- deprecating, showcasing a man who values the hard work of comedy but also respects its roots in pure, unbridled fun. Fans of stage comedy and aspiring playwrights alike will find inspiration in his relentless dedication to his craft. In the end, Because It’s Funny is more than a memoir; it’s a warm and raucous love letter to comedy itself.

Reviewed by Kyle Eaton

READERS’ FAVORITE

5 STARS!

Because It’s Funny: The Plays of Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore – A Memoir by Billy Van Zandt is a lively and heartfelt tribute to a lifetime spent making people laugh. Van Zandt recounts his journey with Jane Milmore, his longtime friend, writing partner, and co-creator, through over forty years of creating comedy on stage. The book blends anecdotes from their personal lives and careers, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their most popular plays and the ups and downs of a life dedicated to humor. Each chapter reflects on their experiences working in regional theaters, producing off-Broadway shows, and collaborating with some of the industry’s most well-known actors and comedians.

Billy Van Zandt’s writing is filled with warmth and wit, capturing the spirit of the comedic world he and Milmore created. Van Zandt shares stories of the creative process, from the inspiration behind their famous gags to the camaraderie that developed with their cast and crew. These stories reveal the hard work, resilience, and constant refinement that go into building a comedy career. The memoir also highlights the uniqueness of Van Zandt and Milmore’s comedic style, which

combines physical humor, quick-witted dialogue, and memorable characters. For theater lovers and aspiring playwrights, Because It’s Funny provides valuable insights into the art of crafting a successful comedy, showing that humor is as much about timing, collaboration, and intuition as it is about punchlines. Van Zandt’s passion for making people laugh shines on every page, making this an enjoyable read for anyone who loves the magic of live performance.

Reviewed by Carol Thompson

NEW JERSEY MAGAZINE

These New Jersey-Themed Books Make Great Holiday Gifts. Captivating novels and nonfiction volumes by Jersey authors—or about Jersey people— for everyone on your list.

BECAUSE IT’S FUNNY!
The playwright and actor looks back on his 46-year writing-acting-producing partnership with the late Jane Milmore, and their catalog of 25 plays. Van Zandt, who grew up in Middletown and is the brother of musician/TV star Steven Van Zandt, references his Jersey roots, and the multi-talented cast of local comedians who became an ensemble company and artistic family. —James LaForge

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

Because It’s Funny! The Plays of Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore (from the author of Get in the Car, Jane) provides humor and theater enthusiasts with a zany, wild, rollicking ride through the process of writing and producing over twenty plays.

It may be hard not to arrive at this memoir without prior familiarity with the names of author Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore. Together they hold nearly fifty years of experience as playwrights, actors, and producers. Anyone involved in the the theater world will readily recognize them…but Because Its’s Funny!’s ability to reach beyond these special interests to attract general-interest audiences makes it a special acquisition.

The focus on the plays the duo wrote from 1979-2020 translates to a rich, decades- long….observational memoir that pairs production snafus and creative experiences with fun observations.

In Merrily We Dance and Sing, which is one of our show-within-a-show plays, actor Jeff Babey grabbed an unsuspecting Frank Andrews backstage and frantically screamed, “You’re on!” Frank bolted onto the stage skipping in, in his Peter Pan hat and lederhosen, thinking he’d missed an entrance, entering a scene he had no place being in, yelling “Hooray!” at the top of his lungs, which is what he was supposed to do about seven minutes from then. Frank quickly saw what happened, froze, and skipped backward off the stage as if was trying to rewind the video.

Laughs abound, as important as serious portraits of the theater world and its participants. These give readers a backstage introduction to the changing milieu of writing, producing, and acting in a play. The lively tone and diversity of these experiences supercharges the memoir with fun in-depth observations which are compelling and thought-provoking all in one:

This play introduced us to Michael Kroll, another eventual staple of our company. He played Stan Kemrite, the FBI agent. A brilliant debut with us. Capturing Babu the terrorist, Stan explained that ours was a kinder and gentler country, before kneeing Babu in the crotch, handcuffing him, and violently dragging him away. Michael has probably created the widest variety of roles for us throughout the years, playing everything from a silent movie villain, an effeminate wedding planner, a cigarette hacking crusty old doctor, Richard Nixon, Elton John, and talk- show host Mike Douglas. (Who imitates Mike Douglas?) And every one is a home run.

Readers will not only learn about the techniques and basics of theater production, but will be entertained by its disparate participants and the manner in which they develop relationships on and off stage, handle critics and snafus, and enjoy their work. A lively sense of pleasure and fun permeates these reflections.

This is why libraries seeking theater exposés which illustrate the processes, attractions, and enjoyment of this world from a long-time professional’s vantage point will find Because It’s Funny! a winner. Few theater memoirs hold the ability to attract general-interest audiences as does Billy Van Zandt’s engaging, vivid memoir.