Adam Rapp may be premiering his new play Essential Self-Defense at the midtown venue Playwrights Horizons, but his offbeat and disturbing new work definitely shows off his downtown roots. Co-presented by Edge Theater, where Rapp is resident playwright, this often brilliant show is receiving a first-class production, courtesy of director Carolyn Cantor and a terrific cast led by Paul Sparks and Heather Goldenhersh.

Yul Carroll (Sparks) is a misfit on the fringes of society, working as an attack dummy at The Big Beat Down Self-Defense Studio. We first see him being pummeled by the mild-mannered Sadie Day (Goldenhersh), who knocks out his tooth. By way of apology, she invites him out for a dr[...]