Jackman takes Jez Butterworth’s drama to the next level with a measured, superhero portrayal of a melancholy angler

If you’re casting the role of a passionate fisherman who’s an irresistible lure himself, Hugh Jackman makes ideal bait. That goes for audiences of The River, at Circle in the Square, where Wolverine is reeling in capacity crowds and giving a striking performance. In this slight but twisty drama by Jez Butterworth, Jackman’s character is unnamed — he’s called The Man, for universality’s sake. The story’s about the mysteries and darkness of the human heart — and the art and emptiness of serial seduction. The appearance of a black stone the precise size and shape of a human ticker makes that point crystal clear. Otherwise, Butterworth — who debuted on Broadway in 2011 with the sprawling epic Jerusalem — leaves lots of unanswered questions. Interpretations are up for grabs. In a remote cabin on a moonless night, The Man, who looks like a Men’s Journal model in waders and angling gear, convinces his new girlfriend to fish for trout. Then she goes missing. The gone girl returns, but she’s not the same. To reveal more would batter Butterworth’s theatrical conceit.