William Shakespeare's play As You Like It was written around 1600, but the Penn State School of Theatre's production takes the well-known work and makes it unpredictable.

The play, which began its run at the Citizens Bank Theatre, 146 S. Allen St., on Nov. 30, will run at 8 tonight through Wednesday.

From the beginning when Touchstone recites an added prologue instructing members of the audience to turn off their cell phones, it was clear that something was different about this production.

The story tells the tale of different couples and their struggles for love in the forest of Arden, to where many have been banished but some live by choice to escape the oppressive Duke Frederick. Rosalind, the Duke's niece, and Celia, the Duke's daughter, travel to the forest to find Rosalind's father, Duke Senior, who has been banished. Before their departure, the women witness a wrestling match in the court, where Orlando defeats the court champion and falls in love with Rosalind.

The set -- which is meant to look like the backstage area of a theater -- and the props use primitive touches to remind the audience that they are also part of the production. The play's famous line, "all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players," painted across the backdrop also works to frame that theme. Modern accents, such as Touchstone's bright orange high-top tennis shoes, kept the mood light and fun.

The actors tackle the archaic iambic pentameter of Shakespeare with a subtlety that makes it easy to understand the comedic elements woven through the "thous" and "thees." Other times, especially in the second act, the comedy is not so subtle. Jaques's character, interpreted as a melancholy beatnik, becomes a member of the "poetry police" when members of the cast stray from Shakespeare's words during a song. Touchstone warns Jaques and the audience not to take Shakespeare so seriously and an unexpected song and dance number, complete with sequined suit jackets, breaks out.

The over-the-top comedy keeps the audience entertained and involved without feeling too overdone or forced and gives a fresh look on a 400-year-old play with creativity and whimsy.