Theatre: “Becky Nurse of Salem” at Lincoln Center

Becky (Deirdre O’Connell), the eponymous heroine of “Becky Nurse of Salem,” Sarah Ruhl’s latest play, can’t help shooting herself in the foot. She drops too many F-bombs while leading a tour of the Museum of Salem, Massachusetts and is promptly fired by Shelby (Tina Benko), her starchy boss.

Meanwhile, her granddaughter Gail (Alicia Crowder) is released from rehab and promptly announces she has fallen in love with fellow patient Stan (Julian Sanchez), who happens to be a wiccan and wants to live happily ever after with Gail, who’s only 16 years old.

Becky feels especially victimized by these events, as she believes she is living under a curse of sorts. Her ancestor, also named Rebecca Nurse (her last name, not her profession) was falsely accused of being a witch and hanged in 1692.

Distraught and seeking a lifeline, Julian steers her to a real-life practicing witch (the hilarious Candy Buckley) who charges her $600 for potions and spells that she claims will change Becky’s life.

This leads to, among other things, a tryst with Bob (Bernard White), a HS sweetheart who is now the local bartender; some time in the local pokey; and flashbacks to the Salem witch trials.  There’s also a serious subject tackled: that of opioid addiction in small towns and how it can destroy families like Becky’s.

Nobody dominates a stage like O’Connell, who is a force majeure on the order of Frances McDormand. Her working-class “Bahston” accent and mannerisms belie her brilliance; only somebody so intelligent could play a character as dim and mouthy as Becky.

Ruhl, author of “The Vibrator Play” and “How to Transcend a Happy Marriage,” knows how to make light of the most controversial subjects, including witchcraft. Check out “Becky Nurse of Salem” and only the most recalcitrant among you could resist its spell. Currently in previews at the Newhouse, Lincoln Center.