Orange alert in the suburbs

After the towers fell, the world became a terrifying place for Gretchen (Alexandra Ralph Evans), a housewife with a distant husband (Jouni Kirjola), an attention- and booze-hound sister (Kellie Yvonne Raines), and kids that don’t like her very much. So when Matthew (Dan Featherston), her son’s gorgeous tutor, shows an interest, she’s suddenly head-first into an affair—and down the rabbit hole. Her fears of terrorism make her suspect Matthew, and her guilt about the affair makes her twitchy around her husband and sister. The Sleeper—Catherine Butterfield’s smart, serious and funny play—benefits from a top-notch cast, ably supported by Alysha S. Krumm, Cody W. Parcell and Jason Patrick. Director Margaret Morneau’s light but decisive touch keeps this thought-provoking comedy for grown-ups on track; it’s a wild, dark, funny ride.

The Sleeper; 8 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $10-$15, with special “girlfriend group” pricing. Resurrection Theatre at the Wilkerson Theatre in the California Stage complex, 25th and R streets; (916) 838-0618; http://resurrectiontheatre.com. Through November 19.