In the play -- which informs us that Hollywood is a shark tank -- gay assistant Chad (Ian Scott McGregor) is being verbally tormented by film producer Alan Howard (Scott Aiello). Chad has been minding Alan's entitlement-bred 13-year-old daughter, Lena (Sarah Grover), and has brought her without permission to Alan's Malibu getaway. Before the tyrannical greenlighter arrives, however, Chad has to deal not only with Lena but with strung-out flickmaker Shane (Chad Lindsey), who buys his drugs online and pops them liberally before passing out on a surf board.

The apparent suspense here is whether Chad will eventually stand up to Alan as a rampaging fire threatens nearby of if he will swallow the easy-cynicism Tinseltown pill. He does swallow a few other pills that haven't the effect on him they have on handsome loser Shane. Chad does eventually come into incriminating skinny on the relentless Alan; unfortunately, it's totally unbelievable.

Shafer -- who wrote the screenplay to the cult film Trick -- does a better job directing his piece, which is enhanced by high-quality acting. And the play's vituperative language is so chiseled you could fool yourself into thinking you're listening to something of actual value.

-- David Finkle