Unsafe Sex: "Les Liaisons Dangereuses"

"Les Liaisons Dangereuses"

Written by Christopher Hampton, directed by Daniel Goldstein, scenery designed by James Noone, costumes designed by Erin Chainani, lighting designed by Mark Stanley, sound designed by Benjamin Emerson, original music by Loren Toolajian

Cast in order of appearance:

La Marquise de Merteuil, Tasha Lawrence

Mme. de Volanges, Ann Talman

Cécile Volanges, Louisa Krause

Major-domo, James Bodge

Le Vicomte de Valmont, Michael T. Weiss

Azolan, Seth Fisher

Mme. de Rosemonde, Alice Duffy

La Présidente de Tourvel, Yvonne Woods

Emilie, Jennie Israel

Le Chevalier Danceny, Jeff Barry

Footman, Jacob Green

Maid, Juliet Totten

Performances: Now through February 5

Box Office: 617-266-0800 or www.huntingtontheatre.org

When the wildly wicked Marquise de Merteuil, the seductive villainous in Christopher Hampton's deliciously decadent stage adaptation of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," states ma tter-of-factly that her favorite word is cruelty, her sometime lover and frequent sparring partner Le Vicomte de Valmont should get a clue and run for cover. Instead he engages in a no-holds-barred battle of wits, lust and deception that ends in the total emotional destruction of their respective romantic conquests and each other.

This cutting diatribe against the tyranny and immorality of pre-revolutionary French aristocracy is definitely not sex for dummies. It is more like a post-doctoral thesis on how to love someone to death.

Merteuil, played by Tasha Lawrence as a coldly calculating avenger whose chilling need for power has destroyed her ability to trust or to love, bets the dashing but ethically bankrupt Valmont that he has lost his seductive edge and will fail in his attempt to win sexual favors from the prim and proper La Présidente de Tourvel (a somewhat harsh and unsympathetic Yvonne Woods). Valmont, played with equal parts boredom and bravura by screen and television actor Michael Weiss, ups the ante – and suspense – by betting that he will not only bed his pious prey but earn her undying devotion, as well.

In between "chance" meetings with de Tourvel in which Valmont slowly, methodically breaks down her will, he enjoys debauched "instructional" dalliances with the innocent – but eager – Cécile (a delightful Louisa Krause) in order to prepare, or more accurately, ruin her for her betrothed, who just happens to be the jilted Merteuil's despised ex. Also caught in the cross fire of Valmont and Merteuil's fiercely complex and witty game of one-upmanship is Le Chevalier Danceny (Jeff Barry), a love struck simpleton who is willing to fight to the death to defend Cécile's honor yet becomes an unknowing pawn captivated and controlled by Merteuil's ample charms.

While this production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" lacks the ultimately heartbreaking character development that the John Malkovich-Glenn Close-Michelle Pfeiffer movie "Dangerous Liaisons" provided, it gleefully drips with vindictiveness and venom. Weiss and Lawrence make a truly despicable pair whose cynicism borders on pathological. In their ever escalating and desperate attempts to fulfill and entertain themselves, they in fact become the instruments of their own misery. Weiss moves from a delightful dandy to an inconsolable lost soul. Lawrence reveals a deeper and deeper determination to be no one's fool, whatever the cost.

James Noone's opulent set – including a white marble double staircase, reflective black marble walls, glittering chandeliers and sconces, and a massive Rococo-style painting on a scrim that serves as a translucent show curtain – makes the action on stage seem bigger than life, a perfect effect for such provocative material. Erin Chainani's inspired and detailed costumes add unspoken layers of personality to each character. Valmont's tailored red hunting jacket, jodhpurs and boots are particularly apt.

"Les Liaisons Dangereuses" is ultimately smart, sexy, scintillating, and sad. In this game of love, there are only losers.

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