New Century Theatre Company is a group of daring artists who are sick of theater in this town and are doing something about it. Its first production, of Elmer Rice's 1923 The Adding Machine, begins with a monologue by Stranger Genius Amy Thone—a seething, terrifying blast of bile. Under the ruthless direction of John Langs, this dark production kicks you in the face immediately and never lets you recover. There's also an unforgettable party scene; a hair-raising monologue by Paul Morgan Stetler, playing a man on trial for murder; and no intermission. Seriously: Go. (ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. 8 pm, $25.)