The true nature of ‘Liberty!’

Somewhere in America, a boy named Freedom wants to grow up to be the Statue of Liberty, while on her lonely island in New York Harbor, Lady Liberty feels overlooked and misunderstood. Yearning to be united, Freedom and Liberty set off to find each other in the BOTHarts presentation of “Liberty!” at [Inside] the Ford in Hollywood.

Writer-performer Chris Wells and director Tracy Young flirt with sacrilege as they put words into the mouth of a national symbol and coax new sounds from several of our most beloved songs. Yet by the time they’re done pushing buttons and tickling funny bones, they’ve achieved something red, white and true-blue: They’ve pondered the true nature of liberty, while challenging the audience to keep it alive by accepting its responsibilities as well as its privileges.

Already performed by Wells as a solo show, “Liberty!” has been expanded to incorporate the off-kilter comic talents of Regan Forman, Gary Kelley, Don Luce and Dina Platias.

Wells portrays Freedom and Liberty, while also personifying the nation as the humorously fed up and weary Lady America. When portraying women, he creates the illusion of performing in drag without needing to change into ladies’ clothing. The other performers fill in as a wide range of Americans, from an evangelist to a homeland security agent.

Young Freedom is the only kid who pays attention in history class, and he must face the scorn of those who think his dream is a sissy thing for a boy to want.

Sensing his feelings, Liberty sets off to find him. Problem is, she is French by birth, so her entrance into America sets off a homeland security scare. She is shot at, and various factions twist her words around or misunderstand her.

Patriotic songs provide counterpoint, from an invitingly sultry take on “America the Beautiful” to a gunshot-punctuated rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

As the smart-aleck tone deepens to poignancy, a despairing Liberty says: “It has gotten so dark. Help me find my torch.”

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‘Liberty!’

Where: [Inside] the Ford, Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood

When: Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.

Ends: Feb. 23

Price: $15-$20

Contact: (323) 461-3673

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes