Theater review: ‘Manuscript’ at the Elephant Theatre

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In a bromance, love means never letting chicks threaten your bond. This principle is tested by a tall blond with a bestseller in Paul Grellong’s entertaining if insubstantial “Manuscript,” now at the Elephant Theatre.

Chris (Patrick J. Adams) introduces his published girlfriend, Elizabeth (Katharine Brandt), to his best buddy, David (Adam Shapiro), an aspiring novelist. The writers trade references, then jabs, and it’s soon clear that something else besides a friendly meet is underway. Cue a nasty little tale of plagiarism, opium, and other literary pursuits.

Grellong has an ear for educated chat, and Brianna Lee Johnson’s direction keeps the action moving briskly. But the play feels too impressed by its own cleverness to ever draw you in. Grellong is more interested in turning plot screws than examining character, so it’s ultimately hard to care what happens to these bright but thinly drawn characters. We’re watching a fait accompli, not lives in the balance. (Brandt does as well as she can selling her ambitious Ivy Leaguer.)

The pleasure here is the central friendship: The quietly charismatic Adams is excellent playing the self-conscious Chris, and Shapiro brings a jaunty wit to David. You’d like to see these actors in roles that pushed their abilities: say, Hamlet and Horatio? Now there’s a revenge story worthy of these talents.

-- Charlotte Stoudt

“Manuscript,” The Elephant Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Ends Oct. 3. $15. Contact: (323) 960-5774. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Photo, from left: Patrick J Adams, Katharine Brandt, Adam Shapiro. Credit: Victor Miles.