Red Angel

TEACHER’S PETTING Wilson makes a move on Barlow.

Things get freaky pretty fast when sultry Ph.D. candidate Leena opts to share a glass of wine with famed professor, novelist and midlife mess David. Matters turn sexy, then sordid: Think George and Martha on a regrettable first date. While the source of contention remains murky throughout, we enjoy the treat of watching two sharp minds battle their way through the bedroom, even without always knowing what the hell gets these strangers so incensed.

LiveWire’s actors play their freewheeling roles with panache. Wilson throws his all into David, though a touch of restraint might help this youthful actor’s aging academic ring more true. As Leena, Barlow offers an austere sexuality perfectly tailored to her inamorato’s scholarly tastes. But the script takes sensationalistic pleasure in thrusting Leena inexplicably from brittle to lascivious and back again. Despite Barlow’s best efforts, Leena stays baffling to the end.

Weinstein’s direction goes a long way toward establishing a plausible arc for this passionate evening of sex and chitchat. And much credit goes to set designer Anders Jacobson, whose skillful mock-up of an ivory-tower office moves the audience into this confounding yarn as only the best shoestring scenery can, by incorporating the cramped theater itself.

Bogosian’s got an uneven framework but worthy insights nonetheless. Chief among them: We read into newfound sexual partners exactly what we want, to devastating effect. That doesn’t make the thrill of the chase any less enjoyable. And fortunately for audiences, it makes it a hell of a lot of fun to watch.