Smart, silly, and sexy, Liz Duffy Adams’ pseudo-Restoration comedy is based, very loosely, on the life of Aphra Behn (1640-1689), considered England’s first professional female playwright. Her career coincided with the restoration of King Charles II, prompting a pleasure-fest after decades of dour Puritan rule, which had closed the theaters. Aphra (likeable and bodacious Kirsten Potter) has a hybrid engine that runs on libido and creativity: Her quill pen can’t keep up with her ideas while scribbling. Nor can her body keep up with her intrigues while shoving lovers and husbands into closets. While spying for Charles II (delicious Basil Harris, in a Breck-commercial wig), whom she adores but doesn’t dare mate for fear of “a royal bastard,” she meets stage actress Nell Gwynne (Montana von Fliss), who stirs almost as much lust in her, but without the risk. Another real historical figure, Nell is played half Gaga and half Snooki. Directed by Allison Narver, delivered rapidly in well-honed accents, Adams’ 2009 comedy combines a lightweight tone (rhymed couplets) with historical detail (studying the politics of the Restoration beforehand wouldn’t hurt). Throughout, our heroine explores a netherspace between absolutes, where pleasure can dwell without the tyranny of yes/no decisions. MARGARET FRIEDMAN

Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: March 23. Continues through April 22, 2012