Three Men and a Maybe

Occasionally, Three Guys glimmers with a genuine idea about the corrupting lure of fame or the darkness lurking behind a comedian's grin. Hardly new concepts, each has been explored with revelatory results by others, including Martin Scorsese in the film The King of Comedy, Heinrich Bsll in the novel The Clown, and Julian Barry in the play Lenny. Perhaps creators Colker and Rupert didn't feel up to the task of exploring what other artists have already tackled brilliantly. They chose instead to chronicle the insecure yet exhilarating world of stand-up comedy by being frenetically offbeat. Unfortunately, offbeat here translates into obscure. The result, despite a hard-working cast, is an incomprehensible musical fiasco.

Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down.
Book and lyrics by Jerry Colker; music by Michael Rupert; directed by Amy London; with Dan Kelley, Terrell Hardcastle, and Kevin Bogan. Through July 28. For information, call 929-5400 or see "Calendar Listings.