Tavern owner Boniface (Marg Cappelli, left) welcomes travelers Aimwell (Tom Bentley, center) and Archer (Ara Boghigian) in 2nd Story Theatre’s The Beaux’ Stratagem, through July 26.

Richard W. Dionne, Jr.

It’s a little wordy, but The Beaux’ Stratagem also contains some amusing moments, and at 2nd Story Theatre it’s sporting some real talent in the leads.

Don’t recognize the play’s title? That’s not surprising. The Beaux’ Stratagem is a fairly obscure Restoration comedy by Irish playwright George Farquhar, who died just weeks after the play premiered in 1707. Think of Farquhar as a latter-day Moliere, a lover of farcical intrigues and quick repartee.

In this case, The Beaux’ Stratagem follows the exploits of two rakes, Aimwell and Archer, who are down on their luck and set out in search of wealthy brides. One poses as a gentleman of means, the other as his servant, as they arrive in a small English village and stir things up.

Archer, who is pretending to be the footman, puts the moves on a sassy, gum-chewing Laura Sorenson, who is terrific as Cherry, the doltish innkeeper’s daughter. Sorenson has appeared in a fair number of dramatic roles at 2nd Story, but proved here she’s got the chops for comedy.

But the real sparks fly between Archer, a dashing Ara Boghigian, and Joanne Fayan’s Mrs. Sullen, the long-suffering wife of Squire Sullen.

Meanwhile, Tom Bentley’s Aimwell falls for Maryellen Brito’s sweet-tempered Dorinda, sister-in-law of Mrs. Sullen. He is supposed to be taking advantage of her, but in this case, love wins out.

The plot is pretty straightforward, but there are lot of twists and turns along the way. Although this play is about the charms of the opposite sex, Farquhar takes a pretty dim view of marriage. The Sullens have nothing in common but the desire to part. And in the end, they are granted what must be the world’s first no-fault divorce, clearing the way for the inevitable happy ending.

Again, the leads in this production directed by Ed Shea are solid. Fayan, as Mrs. Sullen, pretty much anchors the show. She’s a proven commodity when it comes to farce, but here she brings real dimension to the part, as she struggles with her feelings for Boghigian’s Archer. Boghigian, on the other hand, seemed right at home in the role of the seducer. Perhaps he was a little young for Fayan, but in the end that didn’t seem to matter.

Comic touches were provided by Ryan Maxwell’s Scrub, the high-strung servant with the missing tooth. And more wackiness came from Jonathan Jacobs’ zany Count Bellair, who also has the hots for Mrs. Sullen.

As always, Joe Henderson was smooth as Mr. Gibbet the thief.

But Tom Roberts was a little over the top as foppish Father Foigard, the licentious priest with the French accent and Irish roots.

Only in minor roles could duds be found.

For this production, director Shea has returned to the bare-bones staging he used a couple of years ago. There is no set, except for curtains hung in entryways so that characters can hide behind them. Otherwise, there is just an intersecting pine crosswalk for the actors to stroll about on, with the audience tucked in the four corners.

This way, Farquhar’s lyrical language is at the forefront, and the sightlines are at their best.

There are costumes, some dandy ones from house designer Ron Cesario, who has created a striking emerald green gown with leopard cuffs for Fayan. Boghigian prances about in a pink, wide-lapel jacket, denim knickers and basketball shoes.

Farquhar’s play is hardly a masterpiece, but it is fast-paced and pretty entertaining, the perfect thing for a summer night.

The Beaux’ Stratagem runs through July 26 at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. Tickets are $25. Call (401) 247-4200.

cgray@projo.com