The Union of the State: Book Chronicles the Oral History of Comedy Legends from NYU to MTV and Beyond

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Mar 29, 2016, 08:30 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Union of The State" by author Corey Stulce is the untold, uncensored story of the most influential and prolific comedy troupe of the last twenty-five years — and a unique tale in the history of show business. It will be released in print, Kindle, and eBook formats on Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

The Union of The State cover (BW photo by Amy Rachlin; color photo by Seth Olenick)

Photo from "The State" comedy sketch "The Jew, the Italian and the Red Head Gay" on MTV (photo by Jana Rosenblatt)

"The members of The State are my heroes, my peers and my friends. Individually and collectively they are responsible for an impressively large percentage of everything funny that currently exists in the world. For comedy nerds like me, it's essential reading." — "Weird Al" Yankovic

The book, "The Union of The State," is an oral history of the acclaimed troupe's creation, dissolution, reinvention and reunion, told by all members of the group:

Kevin Allison
Michael Ian Black
Robert Ben Garant
Todd Holoubek
Michael Patrick Jann
Kerri Kenney-Silver

Thomas Lennon
Joe Lo Truglio
Ken Marino
Michael Showalter
David Wain

The book also includes commentary from State collaborators:

Paul Rudd
Keegan-Michael Key
Chris Meloni
Janeane Garofalo
Mo Willems, best-selling children's book author
Rob Corddry, creator of "Children's Hospital"

A.D. Miles, Head Writer for "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon"
Doug Herzog, President of Viacom
James Dixon, agent for Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel
Cast and crew from "Wet Hot American Summer," "Reno 911!" and more

"I have to tip my cap to "The State" because when I was in graduate school, they were what I watched. They were the thing." — Keegan-Michael Key

The book follows the members of The State from their time as classmates at New York University in the late 1980s to their quick ascent to fame via their three-season, sketch-comedy TV series on MTV and through their post-MTV projects. It also includes histories of the movie-turned-Netflix-series, "Wet Hot American Summer;" the Comedy Central hit, "Reno 911!;" and cult favorite comedy show/series, Stella.

The projects the members of The State have written, directed or performed in leave no degree of separation between them and nearly everyone working in comedy today, such as Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Amy Poehler and Natasha Leggero. The book features rare photos and illustrations from the troupe's twenty-five-year history.

"The Union of The State" appeals not only to The State's extensive fan base but also to comedy aficionados, showbiz biography fans and those who love an underdog success tale.

The book is now available for pre-order:

Book events:

An Evening with The State, 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, UCB Sunset, 5419 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA: http://bit.ly/tixucb
RISK! The State Book Release Show with Kerri Kenney-Silver, Janeane Garofalo, Kevin Allison and more, 9 p.m. on Friday, May 20, The Bell House, 149 7th St., Brooklyn, NY: http://bit.ly/risktix
Book signing with Kevin Allison and Corey Stulce, 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, Planet Score Records, 7421 Manchester Road, Maplewood, MO: http://bit.ly/planetscore

Author Corey Stulce has been interviewing and writing about comedians for more than twenty years. Follow him at @coreyshame or facebook.com/coreystulce.

Review copies, images and interviews with members of The State and author, Corey Stulce, are available. Contact Kate Esquivel at [email protected] with inquiries.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160328/348367

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160328/348366

Media contact:
Kate Esquivel
415-335-6880

SOURCE coreystulce.com