Amiable ‘Rather Be’ at West Coast

Many an aspiring actor would doubtlessly empathize with Ellen, the long-suffering leading lady who claims “I’d Rather Be a Whore” in Max Mitchell’s amiable new comedy at West Coast Ensemble.

Replaced in a “Taming of the Shrew” sitcom by Marla Maples, Ellen (Cynthia Steele) and her best friend (Lori Harmon) hit the road in search of a scandal that will make them notorious (and castable).

Theater people are sure to appreciate the play’s onslaught of insider jokes, although others will have a harder time with the episodic jumble of oddly specific plot elements (Keanu Reeves, Scottish clans, Greenpeace activists and Norwegian firing squads) that never seem to coalesce around a central point.

* “I’d Rather Be a Whore,” West Coast Ensemble, 6240 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends Sept. 25. $15. (213) 871-1052. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes.