Born a dramatic child into the household of "very dramatic parents," Jennie Israel's career path seems to have been destined from the start.

"My father's a very passionate person and both parents have an incredible sense of humor. My mother insisted on my telling stories in a succinct way. And my father helped me with auditions throughout school. Growing up, there was a lot of storytelling, humor and intensity," said Israel, who has steadily manifested these elements in her own work, currently on view at the Huntington Theatre's production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," which opens Jan. 6 at the Boston University Theatre.

"It's about a group of extremely wealthy people whose main enjoyment is the intrigue between each other. None of them have to work, and they're extraordinarily interested in what goes on with one another's lives," said the Arlington resident who plays Emilie, the courtesan, "a very, very high class call girl.

"Basically," she said, "I'm the favorite, paid lover of Le Vicomte de Valmont," performed by stage and screen star Michael T. Weiss, who earned positive reviews in last year's production of "Burn This" at the Huntington.

"Valmont is definitely a manipulator," said Weiss during a recent press conference. "But I also think he's insecure and wants to be loved, but doesn't know how to go about getting it," said the actor best known for the lead role of Jarod on the NBC hit "The Pretender."

Adapted from the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, "Liaisons" plays the game of love and lust in 18th century Paris. Cleverly written for the stage by three-time Tony Award-winner Christopher Hampton ("Dracula," "Sunset Boulevard"), who also penned the screenplay for the 1988 film "Dangerous Liaisons," starring John Malkovich and Glenn Close, the show is about manipulative people who ultimately get what they deserve, while snaking in and out of Parisian bedrooms and salons in the 1780s.

"It is dark and sexual, and that's how we're staging it," noted Weiss, 43, who spent part of last summer in Cambridge, taking an art history course at Harvard.

"I was definitely the oldest student in the class. The kids didn't even really care who I was," he said. "They were focused on studying and their grades. It was really a liberating experience to just study and drink in all this amazing knowledge. And I got a 98 on my final! I was calling my mom ... 'Hey, I got a 98 on my final! At Harvard!'"

Directed by Daniel Goldstein, who helmed the revival of "Falsettos" last spring at the Huntington, "Liaisons" displays a stylish, non-classical approach to what he calls "a massive production." The multi-layered set is a dizzying array of mirrors, staircases and spirals that Goldstein describes as "a cyclone swirling around Valmont that makes the play move like lightening." And the costumes, including an 18th century version of Hillary Clinton's inaugural dress, are inspired by period and contemporary fashion "with a silhouette of period clothes, but not the traditional fabrics."

"The costuming has been my major challenge," said Israel, 36, who is scantily clad in one scene and views the experience as "a good exercise regarding her philosophy of how men are allowed to look one way and women another.

"There is an impossible standard set for women and girls who are required to look perfect in today's society," explained Israel, who researched her role by reading about courtesans in Italy.

"They were the only women in Italy allowed to learn to read, visit the library, go out at night, attend parties and balls and be in the company of men. The wives were kept at home - ignorant and illiterate.

"In France," she continued, "courtesans had a good life. They were taught to read, write, sing, dance, recite poetry and about sexual activity. As Emilie, I'm witty and live in a house owned by a Dutchman who is never there. This is where I entertain."

After Sept. 11, Israel returned to Boston and was immediately cast in high visibility productions, despite her concern about moving her acting career out of New York. Since then, she has worked steadily as well as having helped found Actors' Shakespeare Project, where she is associate artistic director.

"I love making my own productions," said Israel, "a text maven," whose attention to detail seems like a perfect fit with the two-year-old company that "has spread its wings faster than can possibly be imagined."

As for acting in general, she feels more "alive then ever" when on the stage.

"To have an exchange is somewhat rare today. Now, everything is about computers and media blitz as opposed to the human connection," said Israel, who finds herself frequently channeling her 80-year-old grandmother Sylvia Kramer Israel "to bring light into certain situations.

"She was hilarious and incredibly loving, and for her, the sun rose and set in my lap," Israel recalled about her 4-foot, 11-inch "power house" grandmother, who made a point to see all of her granddaughter's productions until her death nine years ago at the age of 89.

"Once, she even came to see me in a show on Martha's Vineyard - all by herself - using a plane and ferry," relayed Israel whose artistic sensibilities, apparently, have deep roots.

"Les Liaisons Dangereuses" is at Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston, from Jan. 6-Feb. 5. Tickets are $15-$70. For tickets, call 617-266-0800 or visit huntingtontheatre.org.