THE UNDERSTUDY at the Roundabout's Laura Pels Theatre

(Seen 11/10/09)

The prolific and talented playwright --- let's make that the prolifically PRODUCED playwright --- Theresa Rebeck, has written a funny, acerbic, entertaining back-stage comedy-farce. And the highly talented Julie White, as a Broadway stage manager, heads up the most able cast of three.

Justin Kirk plays a disappointed and troublesome 2nd-tier stage actor, who changes his name, hoping to change his image. And Mark Paul Gosselaar plays a Hollywood action star making his Broadway acting debut.

Rebeck has contrived a series of stock farce maneuvers --- former lovers in a surprise encounter, air-headed film star with aspirations to do meaningful theatre work, and a newly discovered Kafka play to bring them all together. The dialogue is witty and the action is fast moving.

The problem is that the situation is entirely unbelievable: a Broadway stage manager running an understudy rehearsal on stage, by herself, with no other cast members around; and a single crew member in the booth, high on pot, trying to run lights and move sets by himself. In addition, the movie star stops by, because he is also understudying another role in his own star vehicle!

Rebeck has also set up frequent off-stage phone calls, water and bathroom breaks in order to give individual and duo actors their own moments on stage.

Empty though enjoyable.