Morally disturbing and diabolically hilarious is "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," the black comedy in carnage about the twisted nature of terrorism, torture and cat fancy by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh and now live in all its bloody glory onstage at the Mark Taper Forum.
We caught the two-act production this last Tuesday, in large part because Andy was still excited by the memory of seeing it nearly a decade ago when it first bowed in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Royal Shakespeare Company. It had a run on Broadway about four years ago, as well as turns on stages worldwide.
I can only hope that its finally coming to L.A. might convince someone to take it to the big screen. We loved the 2008 film “In Bruges,” which McDonagh wrote and directed. And "Inishmore" would certainly have a built-in audience from the Tarantino-Rodriquez camp. Certainly, this production has a star in Chris Pine, a.k.a. the new Captain James Kirk in the resuscitated "Star Trek" film franchise. Some critics, official and not (including Andy), find his movie star looks a bit off putting for the role. But I personally found it more deliciously sinister than the idea of a thuggy-looking dude as is the type usually cast in the role.

The show closes August 8, so rearrange the schedule, cancel or bump plans...just get thyself to the theater in time.

"The Lieutenant of Inishmore," Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends August 8. $20 to $65. (213) 628-2772 or www.centertheatregroup.org.

Photo: Craig Schwartz/Center Theater Group-Mark Taper Forum