Jason Reitman's DINER live-read with the cast of THE LEAGUE

For those of you not familiar with Film Independent at LACMA's Live Read program, it involves director Jason Reitman (JUNO, UP IN THE AIR) pulling some of his favorite screenplays and assembling incredible casts to read them on a stage. Some past live performances have included an all-female GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS , SHAMPOO with Kate Hudson playing her mother's role, and even a RESERVOIR DOGS reimagining with an all-African American cast.

All photos by Araya Diaz/WireImage

Last night's event was incredibly special. Usually Reitman recasts with actors who never usually work together, so a lot of the chemistry and report develops as the reading continues. Reitman chose the screenplay for DINER, the 1981 classic written and directed by Barry Levinson. For those of you who don't know, DINER is about friends in 1959, Baltimore, during the week that one of them is getting married.

To achieve the chemistry that makes the script one of the greats Reitman used almost the entire cast of FX's THE LEAGUE in the lead roles.

All photos by Araya Diaz/WireImage

• Nick Kroll in the role of Fenwick originated by Kevin Bacon
• Paul Scheer in the role of Shrevie originated by Daniel Stern
• Jason Mantzoukas in the role of Modell originated by Paul Reiser
• Rob Huebel in the role of Billy originated by Tim Daly
• Katie Aselton in the role of Beth originated by Ellen Barkin
• Steve Rannazzisi in the role of Eddie originated by Steve Guttenberg
• Nadine Velazquez in the role of Barbara originated by Kathryn Dowling
• Mark Duplass in the role of Boogie originated by Mickey Rourke

All photos by Araya Diaz/WireImage

What's so special about this cast reading is that the chemistry and friendship depicted in the script and original movie really popped with these actors. The League has been on television for several seasons and all of these actors know each other, so it was exciting to see them teasing, fighting, and talking to each other with the rapid speed of a seasoned cast...especially with the now infamous roast beef and popcorn trick scenes in the original film.

The pacing was fast. Reitman, who has read some action-heavy scripts live, was on his game for this dialogue-driven romp, with the whole experience wrapping up in less than 90 minutes. The story really flew off the page. It was lean, exciting, and played with its moments but never lingered too long.

What screenwriters can take away from events like this is the importance of characters. DINER is a script that relies heavily on the ensemble, with each principal having a distinct voice and way of speaking in the script. Also, there are NO wasted speaking lines.

DINER has several scenes in which the guys visit bit characters. Bookies, Butchers, and 11th grade girls all are written with the same care and intelligence that a lead gets; they all have their own personalities which the cast perfectly portrayed with emotion and hilarity.

Another greatly under-appreciated aspect of this script is that even though it takes place in 1959, each character's problems have contemporary resonance. Problems with money, fear of marriage, commitment, cheating, and alcoholism are timeless issues that rang true to audience members new to the movie narrative.

When you're writing your next hot spec, you have to make sure the characters are relatable, no matter where they are from and what they're dealing with - this really became the most important thing learned from the table read. This is a movie that could be made today with the same impact as it had in 1981.

All in all it was an excellent evening and exciting to watch a new cast take on one of the classics.