Review: OR, at Thinking Cap

Sex On Stage in Sixteen Sixty

I know what you're thinking. Come on. Dead easy. "What's an OR,?" It's whispered in the pubs, under the street lamps and along the docks of South Florida. You're also thinking, who, especially a super smart lady playwright, would call a play simply OR,? Dead easy: Liz Duffy Adams, of course. And why would super smart lady producer/director Nicole Stodard want to bring it to her Vanguard Sanctuary? Really, really dead easy. Because it's a fascinatingly funny look at Restoration Theatre in 1660 England with King Charles II, his mistress Aphra Behn and his mistress Nell Gwynne. So does Charlie romp with Aphy on Tuesdays and Thursdays OR, are those days sacrosanct to Nellie. OR, does Aphry nuzzle with Nellie on those nights? Is Aphra really England's first professional female playwright OR, is she merely a dubious lady of the night? OR, is she a spy?

Before the dead horse stumbles to his feet and trots off stage let me just point out that as King Charles II is agreeing to produce Behn's latest play he insists that the show should have only one title. Not two, separated by the word or. I counted at least five double titled Behn plays amongst my Restoration collection, so perhaps Charles had a point. I digress.

Nicole Stodard, as is her wont, is presenting an intriguing piece with actors in love with their work.

Niki Fridh as Aphra Behn; Betsy Graver as Nell Gwynne, a jailer and Maria; and Alex Alvarez as Charles II, William Scot, and Lady Davenant excel. They are bawdy comedians, passionate lovers, dastardly plotters.

The language is realistic, strikingly modern (and crude) at times. The plot? Door slamming farcial as it recreates the intrigue and passion of 1660 English theater. The Cavaliers are back, the Roundheads defeated. Yah, boo Oliver. Jolly good, chaps.

OR, is a delightful piece, always interesting, hilarious at times. Add it as one more hit on the Golden List of Good Stuff, Very, produced by Thinking Cap.

OR, is directed by Nicole Stodard, who also designed the sound and the costumes. Well done, that woman. Alyiece Moretto designed the super set and Eric Nelson the lights. And both are just right.

You can enjoy OR, at the Vanguard Sanctuary through March 5. 1501 South Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale. 813-220-1546 http://www.thinkingcaptheatre.com

Photo: Alex Alvarez, Niki Fridh (seated), Betsy Graver

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