Cut

Crystal Skillman's surprisingly touching and insightful new play about three Los Angeles reality television writers explores free will in a fresh context. "It's like 'Our Town' but in 'The Ladies of Malibu,' everyone's rich and we narrate their lives," one of the characters says of their series, a combination of the "Real Housewives" shows and "Jersey Shore." But when the question becomes whether the writers have the same control over their own lives, Skillman uncovers a universal issue that strikes to the core of human existence.

These simultaneously stereotypical and authentic individuals reveal their inner turmoil through a series of monologues that vacillate between feeling like a poetry slam and a therapy session. Skillman's rhythmic dialogue flows like a resentful ode, and director Meg Sturiano stages each confession as if she were choreographing a ballet. Monologues butting up against each other have the potential to drag, but thanks to Sturiano's direction—coupled with Grant Wilcoxen's subtle yet effective lighting—they weave in and out of each other with grace. Kyle Dixon's appropriately peppy neon set design immediately transports the audience from the gritty East Village venue to overly enthusiastic Los Angeles, and the neon storyboard backdrop radiates the forced enthusiasm that all Angelenos carry with them like a crutch.

When the writers must re-cut the season finale, it's the last straw for them. Failed actor Danno struggles with anxiety as a result of mounting pressure from his boss and the hissy fits of his colleagues Colette and Rene. Danno harbors love for Rene, who recently separated from her husband, but he is too scared and stressed to act on his feelings. The outspoken and confused Colette obsesses over the show so much that she takes footage home to watch, a move that gets her into trouble. Each has his or her own repressed problems: Danno feels like he deserted his sick younger sister; Rene is mid-divorce and believes she has sold out in her career; and Colette hides an unplanned pregnancy while struggling for more responsibility. And they're all scared to death to make the choice they truly want.

As Colette, Megan Hill steals the show. Her monologue about mail-order abortion pills had me in stitches, and she makes Colette the realest character of the three. Joe Varca and Nicole Beerman do well as Danno and Rene, and their inner angst is palpable. However, their chemistry is not always convincing.

At first unsympathetic, these characters immediately changed my mind about the subject matter. Everyone has problems and struggles, and while we may not be able to call "Cut" on our lives, we can choose where the next scene takes us.

Presented by Horse Trade Theater Group and the Management at Under St. Marks, 94 St. Mark's Place, NYC. May 19–June 4. Thu.–Sat., 8 p.m. (212) 868-4444 or www.horsetrade.info.