Island City Stage’s production of Craig Lucas’ “The Dying Gaul” is a vibrant evening of theater practically sizzling with electricity. 

What could easily be a dull night of diatribes and monologues becomes lively in the hands of these accomplished actors working under the guidance of a skilled director, Michael Leeds. Amir Darvish is simply magnificent as the Hollywood producer living a nicely compartmentalized life that comes off the rails when he becomes too involved with a screenwriter, ably played by Jorge Amador, who needs to learn how to project his voice (he was the only actor wearing a mic, and it was distracting). Autumn Kioto Horne (last seen at Island City Stage as a butch lesbian in “Pulp”) plays a chic Hollywood wife, with a depth and range that is extraordinary. I see Carbonell Award nominations for both her and Darvish for these roles, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Leeds got one as well.

Ardean Landhuis, again, makes Island City’s stage feel like a Broadway set, this time, a chic home in the Hollywood Hills. We even see the Hollywood sign in the distance. The lighting is terrific, and even the costumes, all shades of beige, white, and black, are perfect for these characters.

The plot is not a new one. A writer sells his first script to Hollywood, and they want to alter everything to make it more marketable, including changing the gay couple to a heterosexual one. The producer offers to let the writer make the adaptations but seduces (or does he fall in love?) him. The wife finds out and pretends to be the writer’s deceased lover and messages him in a chat room (it’s set in 1995). Okay, that part is a new twist.  It doesn’t matter if most of the story isn’t that original; in the hands of this director and these talented actors, we’re happy to jump on board for the ride.

Playing through June 15, tickets at islandcitystage.org.