If you want audiences to laugh while being stimulated to see the scriptural message in a new light, you'll love the enjoyable and enlightening sketches in the latest installment of John TenBrook's popular Thespian Theology series. It's an inspiring collection based on Cycle B lectionary readings for the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons. Originally developed for presentation by a high school-age youth group, the simple, easy-to-perform scenes are an excellent tool for sharing the Gospel with unchurched people and getting them excited about Jesus Christ. Each skit is introduced by "Thespian Theological Thoughts" that briefly make an explicit connection between the drama and the scripture passage. Use these versatile pieces in place of the Sunday sermon or for youth programs and other fellowship settings -- their offbeat humor is just what you need to inject a healthy dose of fun into the serious business of speaking and hearing the word of God.

Some of the amusing titles include:

• Evangelist Everett Everlovin (Advent 3)
• A Pizza With Everything (Epiphany 1)
• Barbecue Bob And The Fresh Wineskins (Epiphany 8) A graduate of Harvard University (B.A. and M.B.A.), John A. TenBrook has been addicted to the theatre ever since he appeared in Harvard's famous Hasty Pudding Show as an undergraduate. He has worked in marketing and public relations for the Westvaco and Friendly Ice Cream corporations, and has also served as community relations director for two social service agencies in the Springfield, Massachusetts, area. He is currently the Communications Coordinator for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.