NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Largely uneven, but boasting one of the best opening I've seen, The LA Weekly Loves Us, doesn't quite go the distance but makes a game attempt.

The Struggling thespians of the fictitious Valley Actors Workshop find themselves cast in a real life drama when Karen (Simone Sullivan) murders Bill (Stephen Ferguson) on stage just moments before showtime. The play then rushes into a courtroom epic where the actors' back-stories are revealed through clever set changes.

The courtroom scenes are tightly written and tremendous fun. Both attorneys address the audience as they would a seated jury, delivering simultaneous opening statements that define the circumstances of the crime. And wile the back story sequences delve into the relationships of the starving artist, they ultimately slow the momentum of the story. These flashback scenes, while amusing, develop the characters at the expense of furthering the plot, a flaw made all the more evident given how well the courtroom scenes managed to do both.

That is not to say there aren't clever flashbacks. A montage highlighting the troupes stage productions is inspired, especially a re-telling of Shakespeare using vampires. But the impressive courtroom actors rule the night with Jason Ryan Lovett's theatrical defense attorney, Bree Pavey's uptight prosecutor, and Steve Hofvendahl as a tolerant judge.

3KO Broadway Theatre Company presents THE L.A. WEEKLY LOVES US, Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through June 17 at the Whitmore-Lindley Theatre, 11006 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood. Tickets are $16. For reservations call (818) 685-9939