The truth is often not what you see but what you don't see.
In "The Little Dog Laughed," the adults-only comedy satire that opens today on the Circle Stage of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, the sentiment is true for the entertainment industry, according to director Magge Cabrera-Hudgins.
"It satirizes the entertainment industry, for sure," she said. "It goes back and forth between the pretty side and the dark underbelly of what's going on - between what they see and what actually happens."
Cabrera-Hudgins said the play by Douglas Carter Beane won't appeal to everybody, but those who appreciate satire - sometimes a little "biting" - and like their plays to be "very cerebral" and "language based" will enjoy the show.
"You have to like that kind of thing," she said.
"The Little Dog Laughed" follows the adventures of Mitchel Green, a movie star who might just hit the big time if it weren't for a "slight recurring case of homosexuality."
Helping him figure out his way are his hard-driving agent, Diane; a sexy, young drifter, Alex; and the drifter's naïve, needy girlfriend, Ellen. The way Diane figures it, if she can help him stay away from Alex, the big time may get a lot closer.
"It's very fast-paced and witty," Cabrera-Hudgins said. "It's been fun to watch (the actors) go through their characters' journeys.
She said the actors, Hunter Rodgers (Mitchel), Wendy Tippens (Diane), Cody Keown (Alex) and Jennelle Gilreath (Ellen), have "had a great time" but have worked hard to explore their characters. They've done a wonderful job."
"It's been a lot of fun to watch them expose things we've not seen but only heard about."