On a publicity junket to New York, Mitchell gets drunk enough to call gay-for-pay rent-boy Alex (Christopher Leyva), who arrives at the actor's hotel expecting an uncle-nephew "scene" and leaves with his heart unexpectedly compromised. As the pair's one-nighter develops into a continuing relationship, Diane is progressively more agitated, as is Alex's girlfriend (Kristin Carlisle), who didn't mind him making a buck but never expected his profession to lead to romance.
Beane's rapid-fire dialogue takes a skilled hand to wrangle, especially because many scenes begin or are interrupted by actors moving downstage to address the audience. Director Jeremy Witcher's first mistake is to then continue to let his cast—particularly Abel—turn directly out front during scenes as well to deliver what are perceived to be Beane's cleverest lines. Abel is a highly capable comedian but needs a stronger director to keep her from not working so hard and punching every joke with such equally leaden force that many fall flat—even as she waits patiently for the laughter she expects will soon arrive to reward her efforts.
Faye is funny but woefully miscast as Mitchell, described as a handsome, boy-next-door movie icon—which would work only if Jeff Goldblum moved into the neighborhood, stopped working out, and didn't let the sun touch his skin for at least three years. Carlisle's Ellen teeters dangerously close to excess but manages to keep her character endearing. The highlight here is Leyva's sweet, quietly conflicted performance as Alex, never succumbing to his director and co-stars' collective penchant for finding the most convenient banana peel onto which to take one more exaggerated pratfall.
Presented by Smart Lips Productions at the El Centro Theatre, 804 N. El Centro Ave., Hollywood. June 3-19. Fri.–Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 7 p.m. thelittledoglaughedplay.com.