Sandwiched between charming sidewalk table cafes and girl scouts hustling Thin Mints along Tujunga Avenue in Studio City is the Two Roads Theatre, wherein a scintillatingly raunchy romp unfolds. And while the area might boast perfect family fun, with "It's Just Sex," this community theatre is touting a gut-wrenching farce about swapping spouses that is certainly of the behind-the-velvet-curtain variety.

Writer Jeff Gould's "It's Just Sex" tells the story of three middle-aged Los Angeles couples, headed to a cocktail party expecting a dry evening of stock market chatter and mutual rejoicing in the glory that is summer empty-nesting. But as each couple's conflicts come to a head, and the drinks continue pouring, these Angelenos decide to see just how much greener the grass is on the other side of San Vicente.

The play opens to reveal a man chasing a gorgeous panty-dropper around his living room. The fellow is Phil, and the broad is his hooker. Phil's the sort of over-the-hill business type whose hands are more forward than his hairline. Enter Joan, his fiery wife who's got a penchant for busting balls and hosting happy hours. She's fuming, but the Phil isn't fully hung out to dry until the guests arrive (god forbid Joan's crumbling marriage hinder the soiree). 

The cast is rounded out by two other couples. The next is Kelly and Carl, the most carnally charged couple in the pack. Salvator Xuereb, who plays the refreshingly tawdry and occasionally insightful writer Carl, carries the production. With both the look and comic timing of doppelgänger and "Weeds" star Justin Kirk, Xuereb manages to remain fresh, while other players sometimes fell into the trap of feeling like cliched tropes aimed to relate a particular audience segment. This couple's hurdle? Kelly's harmless school girl crush on the aforementioned adulterer, Phil. 

Finally, there's Greg and Lisa, who unfortunately don't escape feeling like the token black couple. Greg's handsome, driven, and respectable; Lisa is a merciless lawyer, both in the courtroom and the bedroom. He's an endearing and empathetic character next to his controlling wife who is clearly looking to spice things up. One memorable line: "In my college days, I was doing community work. She was working the community." Just before heading off to the party, the two rendezvous in the bedroom to no avail. In the spirit of this lascivious play, let's be plain: Greg just can't get it up.

When the three couples gather, liquor loosens tongues, and eventually ties and belt buckles too. Debauchery ensues, leaving the intimate audience in stitches at the comedic discomfort unfolding just a few feet ahead. The writing is particularly sharp in the first half of the play when hell is breaking loose. Later, moral compasses make a not-so-surprise appearance, and Gould's story loses a bit of its luster. 

That said, this relatable tale of squabbling couples is roaringly funny, and provokes many a conversation about monogamy, forgiveness, and the art of the swap. While the conflicts between couples don't feel particularly fresh, Carl makes an adroit point in the play when he reminds his cohort that sex is indeed the ever-enthralling point of intrigue. 

Gould and the cast (the sixth ensemble since 2007) make up for what the set dressing and costuming lacks. Currently in its third run, the show earned the title of LA's longest running comedy in 2010 after a 21-month run when it sold out over 90 percent of performances. It's no shock that "It's Just Sex" is likely making its way off-Broadway within the year. The winning ensemble says they hope to travel with the show, too. But before they take it to New York, Gould's going to have to make a few amendments to this L.A.-centric comedy. Perhaps the most provocative question raised in the play: is it better to take side streets or the freeway?

Reach reporter Allegra Tepper here, or follow her on Twitter.