STAGE REVIEWS : OPEN FESTIVAL : Brain Trust Thinks Its Way Into Entertaining You at Tamarind

You don’t always have to laugh out loud when something is funny. The richest form of humor just gets inside and sits there chuckling. That’s what happens in Brain Trust’s “Senti-Mental Cruelty” at the Tamarind Theatre. There isn’t a single belly laugh, but chortles keep rolling in as this cerebral group glides slickly through its highly polished sketches.

Oddly enough, the most memorable piece doesn’t have one laugh. It’s a tender moment with “Charlie Dugan,” written and performed by Tom Virtue, with all the wistful whimsy of radio’s Paul Rhymer (“Vic & Sade”). Virtue is also the most versatile of the group, vocally and in his characterizations, and he’s also the writer responsible for a very clever attempt at close harmony among the singing heads on Mount Rushmore.

The company tackles fantasy lovers, gives funny clues as to why mermaids chase sailors and don’t stay home with their mermen, and the offbeat humor of Steve Skrovan’s “Hair Sculpting” has Katie Layman working up flop sweat while trying to hustle her gooey product to the intrusive and equally funny organ accompaniment of musical director Tomie Reeves.

Co-directors David Fury and Gary Kroeger keep the edges sharp and the tempos bright.

At 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood; Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 13. $7; (213) 466-1767.