The bloody battle between two kids in a playground brawl is nothing compared to what’s waged when their respective parents meet to discuss the matter. So goes God of Carnage, the Tony-winning tweak on upper-middle-class anxiety from Parisian playwright Yasmina Reza. You may remember her Art several seasons ago at the Rep, in which the purchase of a pricey all-white painting sent three friends into various amusing conniptions. Reza writes crisp, engaging drawing-room comedies often studded with topicality, and Carnage goes so far as to bring up issues like Darfur. But, like Art, it’s mainly a chance to watch good actors play profane parlor games. This tempting ensemble includes local acting “It” couple Hans Altweis and Amy Thone—founding members of the justly praised New Century Theatre Company—as well as the superior Denis Arndt and woefully underrated comic bombshell Bhama Roget. Parents may be grateful that, during the 90-minute play, there’s no intermission in which to compare their kids’—and their own—misbehavior. STEVE WIECKING [Also see Margaret Friedman’s review.]

Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: Oct. 1. Continues through Oct. 24, 2010