YEP, THIS GUY'S 'BEEN LIED TO' A WHOLE BUNCH.

Byline: Julio Martinez Correspondent

JOHN PAUL'S ``I've Been Lied to All My Life'' began as a project for an acting class run by award-winning actor/director Susan Peretz. In its current manifestation at Studio City's Laurelgrove Theatre, this heartfelt work has not risen above the status of a work in progress that still needs more development in the classroom.

Although this one-man sojourn through the veracity of our government leadership puts Vietnam vet Paul's 20 years of experience as a stand-up comic amply on display, the theatrical setups for the three sections of the work are a mess.

The opening act, ``Broadcasting Studio,'' is the most woefully staged section of the evening. Resembling a ``Saturday Night Live'' sketch gone askew, a wig-adorned Paul offers commentary on ``how the government influences and controls the information provided to the public.''

Though Paul's commentaries often display a biting wit and a talent for satire, his attempt to incorporate other characters into the mix are wrought with production disaster, highlighted by inept costume changes, creaky set changes and disastrous light and sound cues. The low point of this segment is a monumentally laborious commercial break featuring an Oriental chef who proclaims his ability to ``cook your books.''

Although the scenic change to a city park setting is near interminable, the second act is by the far his most successful portrayal of the evening. Now playing homeless Vietnam vet Justin Time, Paul offers a Southern good ol' boy who feels triumphant when he finds enough of the remains of a McDonald's meal in the trash to proclaim, ``Dinner!'' He also offers an intriguing examination of the concept of time from the point of view of a battle-seared soul who is attuned to every passing minute.

In the concluding act, ``John Paul's Monologue on Lies,'' Paul assumes his stand-up comic persona and talks directly to the audience. While alluding to his former military status and his battles with alcohol and drugs, Paul concentrates most of his energy on his jaundiced view of government policies and his decided dissatisfaction with our current administration. He scores points when he uses his well-honed comedic sensibilities to satirize his objects of disdain. But Paul is totally unsuccessful when he simply unleashes his own subjective, vitriolic condemnation.

John Paul needs to go back to the creative drawing board and totally rethink the theatrical execution of his ideals. However, he does offer one telling commentary on a celebrity-crazed media that would extol the O.J. Simpson case as ``the trial of the century,'' completing ignoring that bit of post- World War II litigation known as the Nuremberg Trials.

I'VE BEEN LIED TO ALL MY LIFE - Two stars

Where: Laurelgrove Theatre, 12265 Ventura Blvd, Studio City.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through June 5.

Tickets: $15. Call [phone].

In a nutshell: Writer/comedian John Paul's deeply felt diatribes against the veracity of our government leadership overwhelm the theatrical viability of this awkward, under-rehearsed one-man show.