The Rover | Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 8:00pm

🎭 Play Reading Series Dive into Oklahoma Shakespeare’s Play Reading Series! Enjoy a reading of the play, then stick around for a lively chat with the cast. It’s all about celebrating the words on the page and sparking fun, thought‑provoking conversations together.

Synopsis Aphra Behn’s Restoration masterpiece crackles with energy, romance, and biting social commentary. The Rover follows a band of English cavaliers in Naples during Carnival, where masks, disguises, and flirtations lead to a whirlwind of seductions, duels, and daring escapes. At the center is the charming but rakish Willmore, whose pursuit of pleasure collides with the desires of strong-willed women determined to chart their own destinies.

Audiences are swept into a vibrant world of music, revelry, and intrigue, where questions of love, honor, and freedom are played out against the backdrop of a society in flux. Beneath the laughter and passion lies Behn’s sharp critique of gender roles, power, and the precarious position of women in a patriarchal world.

Why You’ll Love It 🌟 A landmark play by the first professional woman playwright in English literature 😂 A rollicking comedy of mistaken identities, witty banter, and carnival chaos 🎭 Colorful costumes, masks, and swordplay bring the Restoration stage to life ❤️ A bold exploration of love, desire, and independence that still resonates today

Presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare Join Oklahoma Shakespeare for this spirited romp through the streets of Naples, where Aphra Behn’s wit and daring shine as brightly as ever.

👉 Learn more and find answers about tickets, policies, and venue details in our FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions — Oklahoma Shakespeare (okshakes.org).