STAGE REVIEWS : ‘CIRCLE OF WILL’

Only in the sober light of a Sunday afternoon, after Jack Grapes and Bill Cakmis’ speculative frolic about Shakespeare’s early years, “Circle of Will,” has played out, do we question the show. The play being the thing, however, Grapes and Cakmis have us between their sneaky little fingers when the lights are up at the Zephyr Theatre.

What begins as a knockabout comedy pitting moody actor Richard Burbage (Cakmis) against harried writer Shakespeare (Grapes) in a clash that could have been written by Neil Simon, becomes a wicked excursion (with an especially wicked twist) into, as Grapes matter-of-factly puts it, “The Theatre of Metaphysics.”

But what is more apt, or true? Shakespeare mulling over how “Romeo and Cleopatra” just doesn’t work, or how it’s Burbage who suggests “To be or not to be?” Or a lengthy debate on the fact that they’re on a stage, that they don’t really exist?

“Circle of Will” moves from one brand of comedy to another, without having the change of course fully thought out. What pulls the audience merrily along are Grapes--dry and sweet-hearted --and Cakmis, hilariously self-important. (The audience helps, too: When Grapes, launching into metaphysics, asks us, “Who said the unexamined life is not worth living?,” a woman shoots back, “The IRS.”)

The almost sloppy pre-show magic of Mark Paskell, the deliberately tacky scenery by Mark-Louis Walters, and the irresistible glimmer in Grapes’ eye tell us to take none of this too seriously.

Performances at 7456 Melrose Ave., Sundays at noon (pre-show brunch at 11:30 a.m.); (213) 466-1767. Ends Jan. 11.