OR

A Pittsburgh Theater Premiere

Written by Liz Duffy Adams
Directed by John Shepard

“… “all women together ought to let flowers fall upon the grave of Aphra Behn.”
Virginia Woolf

Liz Duffy Adams’ neo-Restoration comedy OR, takes place during one night in the life of Aphra Behn (1640-1689), poet, spy, first professional female playwright, and one of the most influential dramatists of the late 17th century.

Sprung from debtors’ prison after a disastrous overseas mission, Aphra is desperate to get out of the spy trade.  She has a shot at a production at one of only two London companies, if she can only finish her play by morning despite interruptions from sudden new love, actress Nell Gwynne, complicated royal love, King Charles II, and a very dodgy ex-love, double-agent William Scot – who may be in on a plot to murder the king in the morning.  Can Aphra resist Nell’s charms, save Charles’ life, win William a pardon, and launch her career, all in one night?

“…a playful, funny and inventive comedy…” The New York Times

“One of the considerable beauties of Liz Duffy Adams’ hilarious “Or,” … is the effortless acuity with which time periods are layered upon each other…that, and the sheer, smart joy of the whole enterprise…” San Francisco Chronicle