REVIEW by Willard Manus

LOS ANGELES -- STONES IN HIS POCKETS is an actor's dream: a two-hander which calls for each performer to play a slew of different characters. JD Cullum and Barry McEvoy are the lucky ones in Marie Jones' bittersweet comedy about two Irish village lads who are hired as extras (for 40 quid a day) by the American film crew that is shooting another Quiet Man kind of story in their backyard, replete with blarney and booze. Cullum (as Jake) and McEvoy (as Charlie) have a ball making the character switches called for by Jones and her director, Neel Keller. One minute they are themslves, the next they become Caroline Giovanni, the movie star; or Simon, the swishy assistant director; or Clem, the director; or Brother Gerard, a local teacher. Given the opportunity to sing and dance as well (satirizing the Irish step-dance craze of a few years back), Cullum and McEvoy put on a wonderful show. The play itself is slight, despite a subplot that involves another local lad, Sean, who took his life because of the arrogance and indifference of the Hollywood folk--cultural imperialists to the core. The subplot is less than believable, but it doesn't matter, STONES is still funny and entertaining.
       

        
At the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave. Call (213) 628-2772 or visit TaperAhmanson.com