STAGE

Reality Sets In: South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa is going to replace Allan Cubitt’s “The Pool of Bethesda,” previously announced for Nov. 3-Dec. 6 on the SCR Second Stage, with a smaller, less expensive show. Producing artistic director David Emmes explains that “we thought we had the budgetary wherewithal to take on a large-cast, costume-heavy show,” but as the theater refined its projected 1992-93 operating budget of $5.9 million, “we found (“Bethesda”) took too big a bite.” Emmes hopes to save as much as $100,000 by substituting a play with four or fewer characters and no period costumes.