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L.A. Theatre Works' recordings of their stage performances may be my favourite hidden gem on Audible. They take wonderful plays, gather together some of the finest actors living in and around Hollywood -- some bit players who live on the Hollywood periphery, some B & C listers who fill in the ranks of famous T.V. shows as the scene stealing supporters, and some genuine stars who have time between films or on hiatus from their leading characters -- call on wonderful directors, and produce superior theatre, which is just perfect to listen to while doing dishes, folding laundry, or on the commute.

The stand our performers in their version of Biloxi Blues are Josh Radnor as Eugene (Ted from How I Met your Mother fully shaking off his famously annoying TV persona), Steve Rankin as Sgt. Toomey (a face you've seen in a million bit parts but can probably never attach to a name) and Darby Stanchfield as Daisy Hannigan (a T.V. regular who hasn't quite hit the heights she's talented enough to hit. This trio turn in wonderful performances, and made me wish I'd seen their version on-stage in L.A.. But while they are the best of the bunch, there isn't a single performance that isn't strong.

Together, the ensemble brings one of Neil Simon's finest, funniest plays, the second instalment of his Brighton Beach Trilogy, to beautiful life. Listening to these wonderful performers makes me long to see this play on stage. Hell, it makes me long to just get my ass into a live theatre again. It's been a couple of months, and I need to see a world come to life on the boards. Since that isn't possible, however, I guess I'll just pick another L.A. Theatre Works performance and let myself get carried away by the dreamlike voices of great actors from a great distance.