‘Foursome’ Makes a Fateful Wager

Golf originated in the foggy damp of Scotland, and at the turn of the last century a Scotsman named Tom Morris was one of the game’s pioneers. Christopher Metas and Lee Arenberg’s “Foursome,” at the Actors’ Gang Theatre, pits Morris against an evil entity to save the world.

But this brief play’s sophomoric humor only occasionally rises above the level of a high school skit.

A fellow in a black suit and tie, Staan P. Green (V.J. Foster), meets a kilt-clad Morris (Andrew Wheeler), and they make a wager. To determine if the world is worth saving, they’ll see if anyone on a certain West Los Angeles golf course is incorruptible.

Predictably enough, the devilish Staan uses his magical powers to lead everyone astray--from the Spice Girls wannabes (Victoria Cunningham, Tracey Rock, Kirsten Holly Smith) and their manager (Jenine Smith) to the bickering husband and wife (Jack Tate, Belinda Waymouth) and their ultra-innocent daughter (Melanie Lora) and her fresh-faced fiance (Ken Palmer). Staan also toys with the twosome (Ken Elliott and Mark Kelly) with whom he and Morris end up playing.

Arenberg and Metas have included a parody of an infamous football player, O.G. Sampson (Michael Cornacchia), that isn’t particularly clever, although they don’t play the race card.

Under Arenberg’s direction, Foster sweats, postures and chews on the scenery while Wheeler is cartoon-ready live action. None of the performances are bad; it’s simply that the actors haven’t enough material to take them anywhere worth going.

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* “Foursome,” Actors’ Gang El Centro, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thursdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Ends June 3. $12. (323) 465-0566. Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes.