If there is such a language device as triple-speak, then Larry Gelbart is one of its masters. Gelbart, who helmed the TV sitcom M*A*S*H, has always excelled in fast-paced, tongue-twisted dialogue that would have made Groucho Marx proud. And, in the 1980s, the writer took his specialty a step further with Mastergate, an exercise in nonsensical political doublespeak. Resurrected for this year's political season—it was scheduled to end two days before the presidential election but was held over—Gelbart's congressional hearing comedy is directed by Penny L. Moore. While the cast ably handles the difficult dialogue, and Moore has managed some breathing room in the cramped theatre for her characters to move, the inherent problem that Mastergate can't overcome is its length. Even at 75 minutes, this one-note idea, which after a few minutes builds to an amazing array of contradictory and purposeful vagaries, loses most of its momentum halfway through. By the end, it's simply tired.
The entire play takes place in a congressional hearing that concerns who knew what about the government using a Hollywood studio—Master Pictures—to finance arts for a resistance movement similar to the Contras in Nicaragua. A panel of congressmen questions a series of witnesses to uncover the truth, each witness more adept than the previous one at avoiding direct answers. A typical question is, "What did the president know, and did he have any idea that he knew it?" And a typical response: "My involvement was strictly limited to the extent of my participation." The congressmen slowly uncover half-truths in the lies, but the plot is more of an excuse for Gelbart's exercise in style.
As Shepherd Hunter, chief counsel for the committee, Bowd Beal is the play's standout performer. A near constant presence onstage, he is saddled with the greatest number of difficult lines. His deadly serious delivery and ability to sound as if he's making sense is, in the first half-hour, quite funny. The most enjoyable actor is Paul LeGreco, portraying a witness and shady IRS agent who speaks fondly of conversations he "didn't have" with the head of the CIA—after he died. At half its length, this production would be twice as funny and lose none of its meaning … not that it makes sense anyway.
"Mastergate," presented by Doxie 4 Productions & The Actors Repertory in association with The Actors Group at the Actors Group Theatre, 4378 Lankershim Blvd., Universal City. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Oct. 8-Nov. 14. $12-15. (818) 506-4644.