'Nobody cares about love stories anymore," the movie producer Saul tells struggling screenwriter Austin halfway through 'True West', Sam Shepard's 1980 play currently being performed at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica. It's at a painful moment for the bookish, sensitive writer, as he's just found out Saul has passed on his belabored love story script, which he'd been all but guaranteed would be greenlighted. Instead, Saul has decided to produce an over-the-top action western, which also happens to be written by Austin's derelict brother, Lee.

Austin (Jason Greenfield) loans Lee (Matt Williamson) his car

Love, even the brotherly kind, is not an emotion Lee and Austin feel too much toward each other. The two combatative siblings are both staying at their mother's Southern California house temporarily while she's away' as Austin tries to finish his script, and Lee looks for a fresh batch of unsuspecting neighbors to steal home appliances from. Lee (an effectively crude Matt Williamson) is a nomad with no use for people or manners. He burps, picks his nose, and is prone to random angry outbursts.  Austin (Jason Greenfield) prefers the ease and comfort of a more traditional life, of following society's rules and sucking up to whoever he has to in order to advance his career.

Lee tries to break Austin's concentration

'True West' follows these two brothers as they reunite after a five year separation. Both feel the need for change in their lives and, despite the animus they feel toward one another, Lee and Austin begin a strange transformation as the play moves forward. Lee is attracted to the glamour of moviemaking, and his outlandish storytelling has a ring of authenticity that the Hollywood suits can sell. 

As Lee finds some success with pitching films, Austin's sense of failure throws him into a depression. He starts drinking Lee's booze and is soon committing petty crime.  He finds himself drawn to the freedom of the man-of-action, and embraces the fustian "movie" mentality of Lee while pulling away from the artier "film" attitude he's identified with until this point.

The action moves up a steep incline, beginning slowly with the brothers exchanging stilted conversation and occasional barbs as Austin tries to write and Lee entertains himself by badgering him. As things progress,  the entire stage erupts into destructive pandemonium with a catapulted typewriter, beer cans, and, in an extended gag that works about half the time, entire loaves of bread being toasted, tossed, eaten, and stomped, not necessarily in that order. Shepard's trademark dialogue helps keep the action moving rapidly forward. The unadorned comments and rejoinders give the brothers' exchanges a gritty passion without sentimentality, cutting straight to the heart of the words.

Playwright Sam Shepard

But unfortunately the Atlas Theater Company doesn't seem up to the emotional acrobatics of Shepard's work. The emotions spike and dip without clear motivation or convincing delivery.  The two leads don't quite find the dysfunctional fraternal connection than seems called for, and moments that should be fraught with awkward tension because of their different personalities, are just awkward. Greenfield has particular trouble making Austin believable, especially as he starts to unravel.

However, the two supporting actors are much more convincing.  David Dionisio's performance as Saul brings out a coquettish quality in the Hollywood big shot, flirting with one brother, then the other, not sure which suitor he likes more. Earnestine Phillips is funny and engaging as the boys' mother. Even playing a slightly insane character herself, she brings a refreshing humor and level-headedness to the goings-on.

Things get violent between the siblings

Despite its faults, the production is entertaining and a worthwhile introduction to Shepard's gunslinger style. When it succeeds, "True West" offers a darkly funny and sobering look at family bonds and idealistic dreams, and in several unexpected ways, love.

PHOTOS: Emily Rose

WHERE: Promenade Playhouse, 1404 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA  90401.

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 7,  Sundays at 3 and 7 through May 12. No performances on Sunday, April 22.

ADMISSION: $20. Seniors and students, $15 (use promo code 077).

RESERVATIONS: (323) 960-7612 or www.Plays411.com/truewest

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