Too Much of Us is Dangerous

The story of Les Liaisons Dangereuses is one that’s been retold many times over: Deceitful Vixen uses her sex appeal to coerce her equally Deceitful Suitor into seducing Naive Vixen, thus breaking the heart of Naive Vixen’s Potential Romancer, who Deceitful Vixen was interested in seeking revenge on all along. In doing so, Deceitful Suitor falls in love with Prudish Love Interest, who, in her attempts to protect Naive Vixen, gets caught in Deceitful Suitor’s spell. Phew! The 18th century French novel is as convoluted a tale of romance and intrigue as there ever was, which is why it’s been such fertile ground for soap operas, movies (like the Ryan Phillippe-led adaptation, Cruel Intentions), and plays alike.

Dangerous, the world-premiere play previewing today at the Caldwell Theatre, is a little bit different than prior adaptations in that it’s actually a deconstruction of the classic tale. Penned by award-winning South Florida playwright Michael McKeever, Dangerous takes place in 1930s Weimar, Germany, a land of decadence and lust hovering on the precipice of Nazi power. And, as everyone clearly knows, nothing is as sexy as pre-Nazi, Industrialized Germany (haven’t you seen Metropolis?).

Dangerous starts today at 8 p.m. and runs Fridays, Saturdays, and select Sundays through March 29. Tickets run from $32 to $55. The Caldwell Theatre Company is located at 7901 N. Federal Hwy. in Boca Raton. Visit caldwelltheatre.com, or call 561-241-7432.
Fridays-Sundays. Starts: Feb. 22. Continues through March 29, 2009