The Lieutenant of Inishmore tells a funny story about a man who loves his cat. But don’t buy tickets for the kids—the man is a depraved torturer willing to bloody others to find out who hurt his feline. Constellation Theatre Company’s version, which mixes verbosity with physicality, features both live and puppet animal actors, as well as plenty of fake blood. One actor is even suspended upside down for eight minutes—an impressive feat of engineering and performance. Written by Martin McDonagh (author and director of the similarly dark comedic film In Bruges), the play follows the lieutenant and other revolutionaries on an Irish isle in the early 1990s as people began to negotiate the end of the Troubles. But the show is interested in a broader exploration of all the noble beliefs that compel us to do evil things to one another, whether for fun or revenge. The play runs Feb. 5 to March 8 at Source, 1835 14th St. NW. $20–$45. (202) 204-7741. constellationtheatre.org.