For 17 years, The Blank Theatre Group has been the little theatre group that could. Founded and headed by the prolific Daniel Henning, The Blank crams explosive material and talent onto an intimate (OK, minuscule) stage. The 2^nd Stage Theatre is a burrowed hovel of a theatre on Santa Monica Boulevard’s ‘Theatre Row,’ cozy-ed up by old velvet seats and chandeliers a-la-Andrew Lloyd Webber — the confines of which plunge us full speed ahead into E.M. Lewis’ fascinating new play Heads.

Heads is the account of four acutely different individuals whose lives suddenly intersect in one tragic, violent moment. Taken as hostages by insurgents as they go about their daily lives on assignment in Iraq, these Western civilians must find a way to keep both body and spirit alive in a place where life means both nothing and everything.

Lewis throws a charging, intensely intimate 90 minutes at us, split between two cells: one holds a British diplomat (the fabulous Beth Broderick) and a mild-mannered Engineer (James Eckhouse). The other holds two American reporters: one a pampered Network anchor (J. Richey Nash) the other a roguish freelancer (Jeremy Gabriel) who harbors a dangerous secret.

These hostages are the direct victims of the most heatedly debated international conflict in history, and yet politics and policy are never discussed directly. It is infinitely clever of Lewis to not saddle the show with politics, as this would have been crippling to what makes Heads the profound experience that it is. What matters to them personally, and just what does matter in the confines of a cell where death lingers in every breath? Beatles lyrics. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Routine. Memories. Hope. Plans. Plans like getting the hell out of their cell. Yet, futile as such things are (escape plans particularly) they are essential to keeping the captives alive from moment to moment.

The 2^nd Stage Theatre’s limited capacity enhances the claustrophobic despair so skillfully evoked by the cast. The production itself is enhanced with surprising touches of authenticity. Lewis’ intelligent and often acerbic dialogue makes for a succulent feast of a script, and director Darin Anthony urges his supremely talented cast to tear into it — either ravenously as with the visceral Gabriel or with savor like Broderick, whose acid wit and wry sensibility is the solid backbone of the show.

Heads isn’t to be missed.

Now through September 23^rd at The 2^nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles. For tickets and show times call (323) 661-9827 or visit www.theblank.com.