The sassy new production of Liz Duffy Adams' "Or," by Capital Stage gives the company a righteous sendoff to its new home next season. After six successful seasons on the Delta King as the city's youngest professional theater company, Capital Stage is moving to a reconstructed theater space on J Street in midtown. This last production on "the boat" provides an appropriately celebratory romp showcasing all that Capital Stage will bring to its new home.

Adams' lively charmer is a cleverly disguised, value-added bedroom farce. The value here comes from the play having more on its mind than just sexual hijinks – though plenty of hijinks take place. One of the play's more compelling themes deals with enlightened views on intimacy between consenting adults. Adams also mulls the traditional roles of women and the functions of marriage during the Restoration period of 1666-1670. Though her references are historical, the playwright makes the ideas unmistakably current.

Capital Stage artistic director Stephanie Gularte leads the cast as the forward-thinking Aphra Behn, a former spy who became the first woman to write professionally for the London stage. Gularte's quick-witted Behn seduces her preening benefactor, King Charles II, into releasing her from debtors prison. The gifted Jonathan Rhys Williams digs into his comic portrayal of the amiably lusty monarch with unabashed relish.

Aphra settles into her new freedom by launching the idea of becoming a writer. In her rooms she's visited not only by King Charles, but by the desperate William Scot (also Williams), her former lover and colleague in international espionage. Scot has news of a plan to assassinate the king, which he'd like to sell for a title and some land.

Behn's developing literary acumen also attracts the attentions of the legendary actress Nell Gwynne. Sacramento newcomer Jessica Bates' lithe, smirking Nell lights up the stage with a knowing, androgynous swagger.

This being a bedroom farce, though, none of Behn's suitors or visitors, or visitors who'd like to become suitors, may learn of the others' presence. So there is hiding in closets and hiding in the bedroom and much back and forth between the two, with Behn all the while hoping to complete a commission for the theatrical producer Lady Davenant (also Bates).

Director Peter Mohrmann expertly guides his lively cast through the rollicking narrative. The clever set design by Steven C. Jones and the lush period costumes by Gail Russell amplify the finely constructed production.

OR,

4 stars

Where: The Delta King Theatre, 1000 Front St., Old Sacramento

When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through July 17.

Tickets: $26-$33. Student rush tickets are $12.

Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.

Information: (916) 995-5464 or www.capstage.org

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