It begins with a destitute student who kills two old women, one with the blunt end of an axe, the other with the sharp end, and the difference between the two ignites the world's most famous existential crisis. This one-hour distillation of Dostoyevsky's novel is dense and fierce as a fever dream. The three actors are great and the seating is intimate. You can see every bead of spittle and sweat, every tear. Wear loose clothing. Bring a cold drink. (Capitol Hill Arts Center, Lower Level, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. 7:30 pm, $20 adv/$25 DOS.)