Socking it to B’way

hand to god

Booth Theatre, 222W. 45th St.; 212- 239- 6200. 120 minutes, one intermission.

DON’T let his big eyes, tuft of red hair and argyle sweater fool you: Tyrone is a profane, horny, violent little psycho— and funny as hell, too.

He’s found his match in actor Steven Boyer, who plays Tyrone, the star of Broadway’s bonkers new comedy “Hand to God,” with manic, demented intensity.

Youwant to keep Tyrone at arm’s length, but his best friend, Jason, can’t do that. That’s because Tyrone’s literally affixed to Jason: This manifestation of evil is a sock puppet.

Most of Robert Askins’ play takes place in a church’s rec room, hometo a Christian puppet club run by Jason’s mom, Margery ( Geneva Carr). She thought itwould help her withdrawn teenager get over his father’s death, but Jason’s still struggling— he’s bullied by the blockheaded Timmy ( Michael Oberholtzer), and afraid to talk to his crush, the dry- witted nerd named Jessica ( Sarah Stiles).

And so Tyrone comes to the rescue, doing and saying the things Jason keeps bottled up, like chatting up Jessica and striking back at Timmy. Jason’s horrified, yet can’t stop his demonic appendage from reveling in gory violence and unhinged sex.

Underneath the wildness is a scalpel- sharp show about the ways people cope with their troubles, and religion’s inadequacies. But it’s Boyer’s virtuosic performance that defines “Hand to God,” as he seamlessly toggles between Jason and Tyrone and endows the sock puppet with fabulous expressiveness. Just watch how the little fellow’s arms shake with rage when here aches out to strangle someone— it’s simultaneously hilarious and scary, like the play itself.