NEW YORK—Red Bull Theater puts the axiom that people get exactly what they deserve squarely in their sights with Jeffrey Hatcher’s biting adaptation of Ben Johnson’s 17th-century comedy “The Alchemist,” now at New World Stages. It’s 1610 and London has been ravaged by a great plague, which has caused those with means to flee to the relative safety of the countryside. Among those who have done just that is one Master Lovewit, who has left his home and possessions in the care of his servant, Face (Manoel Felciano). Left to his own devices, Face joins forces with con artists Subtle (Reg Rogers) and Dol (Jennifer Sánchez), who set up shop in Lovewit’s grand home. Subtle claims to be an alchemist who can turn baser metals, such as iron, copper, or brass, into pure gold. He stresses, however, that the process will only work if the one seeking this treasure is …