‘Dialogues’ Hits Close to Hollywood’s World

Tapping an insider’s perspective from the bottom rung of the Hollywood food chain--the script reader--David Hollander’s new play “The Sun Dialogues” travels assured turf.

Through his alter ego Walter (Eric Siegel), Hollander convincingly chronicles the cynical disdain and manipulative ploys by which major studios fend off the onslaught of unsolicited scripts. That jaundiced worldview has permeated Walter’s own character as he confronts a major milestone--reading his 1,000th script in an unbroken string of rejections.

Yet this particular script--a tear-jerker about a woman (Irene Roseen) dying of cancer--strikes a nerve in Walter. Hollander’s staging skillfully interweaves the story with Walter’s attempt to find his psychological and emotional rudder.

However, Hollander’s efforts at redemptive interpersonal contacts are often overreaching and predictable, despite the best efforts of Michelle Azar as Walter’s tentative love interest. Because of a double cast, supporting ensemble performances will vary, but Lauren Bowles was adept as a game-playing studio exec. Unfortunately, a play that critiques Hollywood for being shallow and formulaic--which Hollander’s work does--especially needs to avoid the same problems--which it does not.

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* “The Sun Dialogues,” Gascon Center Theatre, 8737 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Nov. 22. $15. (310) 319-1625. Running time: 2 hours.