Julie Bayer and Aaron Hoge play dueling would-be lovers in Janus Theatre's briskly entertaining revival of David Ives' “The School for Lies,” inspired by Moliere's 17th-century classic “The Misanthrope.” Courtesy of Heidi Swarthout

“The School for Lies” — 3.5 stars

Has ever a couple wooed as dyspeptically as the misanthropic Frank and the witty, widowed Celimene in David Ives’ “The School for Lies”?

Consider, for example, this verbal duel from Janus Theatre’s sharp, well-rehearsed revival of Ives’ deliciously caustic riff on Moliere’s masterful “The Misanthrope.” Frank (a commendably cantankerous Aaron Hoge) expresses his love with trademark candor stating: “Need lovers lie and cloy and smile? Your eyes are crooked. I have churning bile.”

To which the whip-smart Celimene (the urbane,

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