Counter Men

Setting an ensemble drama in a diner or a pub is scarcely a revolutionary concept. Who hasn't seen "Bus Stop" or "The Time of Your Life"? Yet Chuck Faerber's debuting seriocomedy, taking place in a cozy Glendale, Calif., eatery, cooks up a mighty peculiar recipe. Included are heated political debates, supportive thoughts about our military serving overseas, sitcom-style characters in a Norman Lear vein, giddy romance, moments of tragedy, and even a few forgettable ditties. Several solid performances offer intermittent rewards, but, all in all, this dramaturgic goulash isn't easy to digest.

The Iraq War provides the backdrop for the story, set during 2004–2008, established by wonderfully authentic-looking projections created by video designer Michael Suorsa and lighting/projection designer Matt Richter. The neighborhood hangout is frequented by a coterie of senior citizen cronies, colorfully portrayed by Bart Braverman as an embittered Vietnam vet; Shelly Kurtz as a jovial jokester, breaking the fourth wall to deliver Borscht Belt one-liners; and Alan Woolf as a financially destitute Korean War survivor. A motherly African-American waitress (the appealing Marion Ramsey) worries about her son, who is serving in Iraq, while Vanessa Herrera portrays a loudmouth Latina waitress with more than a touch of caricature. The primary representative of the younger male generation is a swaggering Lothario, Mackie (the superb Paul Haitkin), who struggles to gain a foothold in his acting career while mourning the loss of a brother killed on the war front.

Director Richard Kuhlman achieves entertaining moments. Unfortunately, there's little he can do to atone for silly subplots and a surplus of underdeveloped characters. Despite a valiant effort by actor Anna Nicholas, no character comes across more ludicrously than hers—a brash wannabe businesswoman bedded by Mackie, who subsequently becomes a nun, conjuring best-forgotten memories of noble-sister films such as "Change of Habit" and "The Singing Nun." There's also a homeless Filipino singer-songwriter (Michael Uribes), who sleeps in a booth, jarringly interrupting the story at times to croon insipid tunes.

Davis Campbell's ambitious scenic design is eye-catching and atmospheric, and the positive sentiments behind this endeavor are admirable. Too bad pristine intentions haven't resulted in something more coherent or satisfying.

Presented by Theatre Planners at the Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Aug. 6-27. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. (323) 960-5521 or www.plays411.com/countermen.