Northern Stage’s current production of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” is a true mid-winter play—dark, despairing, and without any sign of human redemption. It’s as if the doctor ordered an antidote to their last production of “Annie.” There is nothing saccharine or sunny in this script. If the sun does come out to­morrow, it will illuminate a landscape where morality is destroyed in the few who have it, and held without regard by the rest.

Having said that, the pro­duction is brilliantly rendered, from incredible acting to spectacular 18th-century French costuming and hair styles. The staging was superb as well, leaving me excited by the quality of theater in the Upper Valley, and disturbed about the darkness, dare I say evil, which lives in the hearts of some of mankind.

The theme and sexuality of the play make it unsuitable for young people, but an intriguingly disturbing voyage for those who are willing to explore the seamiest side of human nature. Darth Vader would not fit into this cast, as his motives are clear. The evil in this play is cloaked in that most precious and volatile human emotion, love.

Le Vicomte de Valmont shall serve as an example. He sets his eyes on Madame de Tourvel, determined to win her love. Not her affection, or her lust—her love, her absolute commit­ment to him. She’s married, devoutly religious, and determinedly moral. The struggle between the two is intense, and at times even humorous, but the outcome finds her in his arms, aban­doning all that had been the fabric of her life. Meanwhile the audience won­ders just what it was laughing about.

That’s because we know that Val­mont’s intention was never motivated by love, or even by affection. He just views it as a game, a chance to prove his abilities. Having won her, he casts her off without ceremony. If you find that disturbing on many levels, suf­ficient depravity for any production, know that you’ve only just begun. Val­mont then declares his highest achieve­ment, his greatest glory, will be to get Tourvel to fall in love with him yet again.

It is not my practice to spoil a play by sharing all of its secrets, and believe me, I have merely scratched the sur­face of what happens in the play’s two hours. It would even be fair to say that Valmont is not the darkest character on the stage.

John Patrick Hayden, who plays Val­mont, is rock-solid. It defies logic that a character so despicable can inspire hope and laughter in pursuit of his tar­get, but he does. Hayden also serves as the fight director for this production, and the sword scene was a riveting display of tight and arhythmic chore­ography.

Sutton Crawford delivers a brilliant performance of a resolute young wom­an who is slowly destroyed. Her facial expressions form a rich palette of hu­man emotion, beautifully displayed. Kathryn Merry, as Valmont’s former lover and current colleague, creates an ice queen of beauty, empathy, and bloodlust.

The seduction scenes, and there are several, are beautifully choreographed and devoid of nudity, but hot enough to lead one friend present for the perfor­mance to remark at intermission that he felt as if he was watching the open­ing of a porn film. On the drive home, I realized that the pornography in the production does exist, but it’s not the sex that’s pornographic, it’s the total disregard for human love, the glaring absence of conventional morality, the meaningless destruction of human lives.

Northern Stage has brought the Up­per Valley a theatrical diamond, which finds its origins in the blackest of coal, but displays itself with cold brilliance. It’s a must-see for theater buffs. Disney fans would do well to stay at home!

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” runs at the Briggs Opera House in downtown White River Junction through February 5. Tickets may be reserved by calling 802-296-7000. Reservations are strong­ly recommended, as opening night had very few empty seats.