Imagine yourself at a swanky formal ball where the participants are spouting off in Elizabethan quatrains while sipping champagne and arguing and discussing the nature of relationships between men and women. That’s what ISU Theater’s “Shakespeare’s Women” was all about.

ISU’s Theater’s production of “Shakespeare’s Women” was an overall success.

Exploring male and female roles, the dialogue is taken straight from various Shakespeare plays. The scenes tie one into the other forming a loose theme on relationships.

The effect was a bit confusing, but by watching this series of vignettes without worrying too much about who was who can result in an edifying, entertaining experience.

The costumes were simple and well chosen. The various styles of tuxedoes made the men in the cast seem very sophisticated and formal, while giving each performer his own unique style. The men were also able to use them to good effect in their more casual scenes by simply removing their coats, rolling up their sleeves and removing suspenders.

The women’s evening gowns were elegant and well-designed. The female characters seemed equally at ease on their feet delivering emotional monologues or sprawled on the stage engaged in comical exchanges with their male counterparts.

In spite of some stiff dialogue deliveries, several performances stood out as exceptional.

Drew Hennebeck, sophomore in performing arts, and Jen Porto, senior in music, nailed Hamlet and Gertrude to the wall. Audience members found themselves transfixed as Hamlet confronted his mother about his father’s mysterious death. This was one of the few scenes in which the audience found itself so involved with the action on stage, they forgot they were watching Shakespeare at all.

Likewise, Hennebeck and Danielle Strait, junior in performing arts, made Petruchio and Kate from “The Taming of the Shrew” a delight to watch as they threw each other double entendres and the occasional blow. Hennebeck is a bit of a show off and has a bit too much “Jim Carrey” about him, but is still an excellent performer.

Ben Godar, senior in sociology, as Romeo, breathed fresh life into some very old and familiar dialogue. Godar managed to convey Romeo’s alternating great expectations and juvenile glee seamlessly while Strait’s longing and acquiescence were as moving as any performance could be.

Porto and Godar’s Helena and Demetrius from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” were an over-the-top funny due in large part to Porto’s exuberant physical performance and disobedient skirt. It has to be hard to act and maintain one’s dignity at the same time, but Porto never missed a beat.

Kelly Bartlett, junior in performing arts, mesmerized the audience as Isabella from “Measure for Measure” as she fought with brother Claudio about her honor versus his life.

Donovan Tyler, senior in performing arts and psychology, was powerful but a bit difficult to understand in places such as Othello.

The players did justice to the work, and in spite of some stiff recitation in places, the performance was commendable.