Theatrical brilliance in L.A. is rare. We have the drama of traffic on Sunset. And the tragedy of your roommate’s acting-school-graduation “ceremony,” where hopeful suckers wait for Godot … or Guffman.

Ah. Waiting for Guffman. Now that was brilliant. Good news: The film’s grads have reunited onstage in Beverly Winwood Presents the Actor’s Showcase, a pee-in-your-pants send-up of struggling actors trying to land a part in film or on TV. It’s insiders laughing at insiders (like you don’t love watching Gwyneth talk dirty to James Lipton on Bravo).

So-bad-they’re-good scenes from The Glass Menagerie and Fame are performed by “hopefuls” Paul Rubens (yes, Pee Wee), Jennifer Coolidge (Legally Blonde), and various Groundlings alums. Beverly Winwood stars as the actors’ guru; the audience stars as the casting agents. (But don’t worry — all you have to do is laugh.)

An early run attracted an SRO crowd of celebs — Lily Tomlin, Steve Martin, and John Cusack, to name a few. And if those guys don’t know what’s funny, who does?

Beverly Winwood Presents the Actor’s Showcase will be performed at the Canon Theater, 205 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. Mondays at 8 p.m., October 21 through November 25. Tickets are $25, available by phone at 310-859-2830, or online at ticketmaster.com.

Photo courtesy Mike Powers copyright 2002