Photo courtesy of the School of Theater Arts Theater production seniors Emily Allen (left) and Ricky Coates become anachronisms in the Arizona Repertory Theatre's adaptation of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." For possibly the first time ever, the play is set in a disco in the late 1970s.

In the past few years, there have been several modernized depictions of William Shakespeare's life and plays. These depictions include "Shakespeare in Love," "Romeo and Juliet," "O" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Now the University of Arizona's Arizona Repertory Theatre is utilizing this classic-play-turned-modern-movie trend by producing a '70s disco version of Shakespeare's "The Two Gentlemen of Verona."

Play director and associate artistic director of the Arizona Theatre Company Samantha Wyer said she chose to set the play in a '70s disco to enhance the comedic aspects of a somewhat scandalous play.

"One of the main characters not only turns his back on the person he loves but falls in love (again) and calculates and manipulates to get his best friend's girl," Wyer said. "And it's supposed to be funny."

She added that the drug-and-alcohol-rich late-'70s provide the ultimate distraction for the play's theme of untamed, lustful youth.

"You have bright lights and costumes and chemically supported bad decisions (in a '70s disco)," Wyer said. "You've got drugs and drinking - people could get lost in there."

Senior theatre arts and political science major Catherine Kresge agreed "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" adapts easily into the genre of the '70s.

"This is a really good play to put in the '70s because it is so much about youth and discovery," she said.

She said the play revolves around high school graduates confronted with the complications of growing up and falling in love. She added that the transition from adolescence to adulthood is a universal concept and can be applied to many different ages throughout history.

"The play is about young love and about discovering yourself and who you are," Kresge said. "This play in particular is often done in different time periods because it's one of (Shakespeare's) earlier comedies - it's not specific on time so you can adapt it really easily.

"(It is) something we can all relate to in college - taking a stand, doing what you need to do to find and discover what you need in your life," Kresge said.

She added that during the play's UA production, some scenes were adapted to deal with anachronisms in the play.

"Everything is very true to the script, (including the) iambic pentameter, but we did have to adapt it a little bit to have it make sense," Kresge said.

Apparently these adaptations have paid off. Kresge said people who have sat in on rehearsals of the productions have found it captivating and easy to understand.

"People have come in (to our) rehearsals and said it's very clear what's going on in the story - the set and the lighting make it very clear about where you are and what's going on in the play," Kresge said.

She added that those people who think of Shakespeare as boring or dull will be pleasantly surprised by this adaptation.

"It's not your typical Shakespeare," Kresge said. "We've got dance numbers, we've got great sound and lighting - it's a really exciting show to watch; it's very entertaining."

The Arizona Repertory Theatre presents its rendition of William Shakespeare's "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," tomorrow through April 14 in the Marroney Theatre. Tickets are $19 for the general public, $17 for UA employees and $12 for students. Show times vary. For more information, call 621-1162.