THEATER REVIEW : ‘Pay or Play’: Satire on Kids in Movie Biz

The dialogue ricocheting out of the Hudson Theatre sounds like a Hollywood studio power breakfast: “The biz . . . coverage . . . junior agent . . . high concept . . . “

Industry lingo is the sole possession of the twentysomething players in Roger Kumble’s trenchant “Pay or Play.” In the 1990s, when sex can kill and college degrees count less than zero, hope means never having to say you’re paying dues. Or at least that’s Kumble’s grim experience.

“Pay or Play” is a bleak satire whose structural flaws are concealed by the high-octane acting of Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs in “Twin Peaks”) and Jonathan Silverman (the kid in Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach” trilogy).

Members of “The X Generation,” these biz kids pathetically prowl Hollywood in search of the magic formula for . . . ?

Creative Artists Agency gofer David (Ashbrook) wants a promotion to junior agent. Then he and his college girlfriend can become “a new us . . . us with a lot of great stuff.”

Lawyer Sandy (Kathryn Kelly) wants to amass hot Southern California real estate, or to get out of Los Angeles.

Screenwriter Jeff (Silverman) has no doubts. “I want to be Joel Silver,” he declares. Jeff begins his day by listening to Howard Stern, then pondering lunch. Afternoons, Jeff writes low-budget erotic thrillers. Nights belong to a multitude of hustles and a growing coke habit.

His latest hustle is a a high-concept comedy, “Color Blind,” which a TriStar underling has accurately dismissed as a rip-off of “Watermelon Man.” Rather than rewriting his material, Jeff attempts to con the studio reader (nicely underplayed by Peter Spears) into rewriting the script analysis.

The provocative set-up could have been a satirical twin to Robert Altman’s “The Player.” Instead, Kumble falls victim to obvious ethical debates and static moral dilemmas.

“Pay or Play” is the impressive playwriting debut of Kumble, who, of course, is a screenwriter. There are more mature plays on this subject--David Mamet’s “Speed-the-Plow” and David Rabe’s “Hurlyburly.” Nevertheless, “Pay or Play” speaks directly to Hollywood’s X Generation, and this production is frequently electric, thanks to director Jay Tannenbaum.

Kumble’s trio of wanna-bes shares more than college memories. They’re addicted to Los Angeles and its illusion of instant gratification. Sandy wistfully speaks for all: “This town is like a drug, and I just can’t seem to kick it.”

*”Pay or Play,” Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, Wednesdays, 8 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays, 10:30 p.m. Ends July 10. $15. (213) 660-8587. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.