The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts has done it again! Based at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, PCPA continues to bring excellent live theater to the Central Coast with its latest production, Yasmina Reza’s “Life x 3.”

Performed in the intimate Severson Theatre on the Hancock campus, “Life x 3” offers three different versions of a dinner party with two couples, ala “Rashomon” and “Ground Hog Day.” Reza reveals the varied facets of intimate and professional relationships from mixed perspectives, presented like the multiple levels of a Cubist painting. What should be a light social event turns dark and vicious as characters lash out at each other in shocking, but very real displays of verbal spousal abuse, lax parental skills and harsh criticism of academic publish-or-perish policies, all with witty and intelligent language.

Hubert and Inez (played by Corey Jones and Polly Firestone-Walker) arrive for dinner at the home of Hubert and Sonya (portrayed by Andrew Philpot and Elizabeth Stuart), who have forgotten the date and are unprepared for their guests.

What ensues are three different versions of the evening, much of the script having only subtle changes each time, yet each version presented more distinctly than the last in terms of emotion and heightened tension. It is here where these four actors and director Valerie Rachelle display their remarkable gifts, revealing the layers beneath the masks of social graces we all wear and which we identify.

Philpot goes from spineless, neurotic father and needy academic to embitterment and then charming brashness in each version with incredible ease. Stuart segues from frustrated mother in the first scenario to a deceitful and belittling wife with wonderful subtlety. Firestone-Walker starts as a meddling diva and slowly, by the third act, descends to being sweet but completely clueless with exceptional skill.

Jones remains elite and smooth throughout, but beautifully conveys various levels of compassion, then arrogance and finally disturbing charm.

Holly Wigmore, as the off-stage voice of Henry and Sonya’s small son, is quite believable and often lends tension or comic relief to the action.

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Throughout all three scenarios, the audience is put in the position of uncomfortable voyeur, and there were often murmurs of shock or agreement mixed with laughter at the foibles of human nature, especially in a social setting. What begins as a comic farce in the first act, turns into something openly sordid in the second, but it is the lighter third act, with its suppressed undercurrents, that is ultimately the darkest and most disturbing.

A word of caution: Performances of “Life x 3” begin at 7 p.m. with no intermission and, due to the intimate nature of the theater’s setting, once the play begins there is no late seating whatsoever.

So arrive early, because “Life x 3” is not to be missed.

TO SEE THE PLAY:

n “Life x 3” can be seen at the Severson Theatre, located on the Allan Hancock College campus in Santa Maria. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays to April 20. This show contains adult themes and language and is not appropriate for children. There is no intermission and late arrivals will not be seated. Tickets cost $16.25 and $26 for adults, and $10.25 to $17.75 for students; senior discounts are available. For the performance schedule or more information, call the PCPA box office, 922-8313, or visit www.pcpa.org.