Laughing in the ‘Lobby’

Young Chang

Simon Billig says it’s interesting being on the other side.

Most of us, for some reason, get scared of cops, the actor says. They

have this demeanor and this look that succeeds in intimidating not only

the bad guys, but the good ones too.

But Billig is trying to find his way past the fears and stereotypes as

someone who’s playing a police officer for South Coast Repertory’s

Mainstage run of “Lobby Hero,” by playwright Kenneth Lonergan.

“It’s always interesting to be on the other side of the road,” said

Billig, an SCR veteran who most recently acted in “Entertaining Mr.

Sloane” and “Tom Walker.”

Before the show opens its regular run on Feb. 23, the actor is hoping

to go on a ride along with the Santa Ana Police Department to learn

police protocol. He wants to observe how cops stand, how they walk and

talk, how they are when talking to friends and how they are when

approaching a car window to tell the driver to step out.

“Lobby Hero,” a comic drama, is about a newbie security guard (Kevin

Corrigan) in Manhattan and the acquaintance he makes with two New York

City police officers (played by Billig and Tessa Auberjonois) who roam

the nearby blocks at night. When Jeff the guard gets caught in the middle

of a murder investigation, he must explore the difference between making

the right choice and exploiting the system.

Billig’s character isn’t the most moral cop in the world when it comes

to personal issues, yet he is good at his job and truly believes in

enforcing the law.

“That’s the kind of thing Kenneth explores,” said the 35-year-old

Billig, who lives in Connecticut. “I think he’s a really incredible

playwright. He captures humanity in a visceral, darkly funny way.”

Known for writing the original version of “Analyze This” and the

script for “You Can Count on Me” (he also directed the film), Lonergan

wrote “Lobby Hero” for SCR’s NewSCRipts Play Reading program six years

ago.

His work -- including the plays “This Is Our Youth” and “The Waverly

Gallery” -- is unique in both construction and style.

“They’re realistically written,” said Jerry Patch, dramaturge for the

show, of Lonergan’s scripts. “The interrelationships between the

characters and between their predicaments I think are what really sets

them apart.”

There is also Lonergan’s unique sense of irony. Patch refers to “You

Can Count on Me,” commenting that the pair of siblings in the movie

aren’t very reliable at all.

“And Kenny’s also very good at finding all the kind of ambiguity, the

points and counterpoints, the twists and turns, in the motivations for

what we do, and putting those things on stage in these characters,” Patch

said.

The characters are also essential in conveying Lonergan’s much-lauded

style for humor.

“It’s all character-based, which is the best kind of humor,” Patch

said. “What’s funny about what they’re saying is their personal stakes in

what’s going on.”

FYI

* What: “Lobby Hero”

* When: Through March 24. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through

Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

* Where: South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

* Cost: $27-$52

* Call: (714) 708-5555