Sure, we all wish we were smarter. But instead of crying over lost brain cells, the deadening of the American consciousness, and the fact that Arnie actually stands a chance, do something about it.

Start with what’s in front of you. L.A. has more to offer than sun, sand, and silly stereotypes.

Like Urban Empire, the not-for-profit theater and film company started by Naked Angels veteran Jack Merrill, whose high-profile productions star today’s theater elite (Ione Skye, Josh Hamilton, Jerry O’Connell, Frank Whaley). Their latest venture revives some of Tinseltown’s greatest plays and films in an altogether quirky way. “Playing Forever” features readings of classic movie screenplays — The Thin Man, The Maltese Falcon, and All About Eve, to name a few — at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. So you can hear these masterpieces read in the final resting place of some of their most beloved stars.

It’s really very L.A.

In a good way.

For more information on the “Playing Forever” series at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, go to urbanempire.org.