Love and wit take an OKC stage during a play version of a controversial Oscar winner

The stage version of one of most controversial Oscar-dominating movies in Academy Awards history is making a dreamy Oklahoma debut.

For the second title of its 39th season, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is staging the fact-meets-fiction romantic comedy "Shakespeare in Love" through Aug. 20 outdoors in its Shakespeare Gardens in Oklahoma City's historic Paseo Arts District.

It is believed to be the Oklahoma premiere production of the stage version of the hit movie, which won seven 1999 Academy Awards, including best picture. 

Here's what you need to know about Oklahoma Shakespeare's production of "Shakespeare in Love":

What's 'Shakespeare in Love' about?

Deftly adapted for the stage by Lee Hall from Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard’s Oscar-winning screenplay, the ambitious rom-com follows a young Will Shakespeare (the charismatic Joshua Murray) as he struggles with writer's block and the pressure to crank out a new play, a comedy tentatively (and rather questionably) titled "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter."

This pressure is especially acute from Philip Henslowe (Evan Wolfe), the playwright's patron and owner of The Rose Theatre, who is deeply in debt to insistent loan shark Hugh Fennyman (Dillon Rasberry), who decides to produce Shakespeare's new play in the hopes of collecting on Henslowe's debut.

As tryouts get underway for the half-written play, Shakespeare despairs at finding the right actor to play Romeo, until young newcomer Thomas Kent auditions with a speech from the not-yet-legendary Bard's "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

Neither the playwright nor the rest of the cast and crew realize that Thomas is actually devoted theater lover Viola De Lesseps (the enchanting Abigail Schmitz), the daughter of a wealthy merchant who defies the social mores that prevent women from performing on stage and disguises herself as a male actor to win the part of Romeo.

Believing Thomas to be a guest in the De Lesseps' home, Shakespeare and his fellow playwright and close pal Kit Marlowe (charmer Joseph Mann) pay an unannounced visit to let the actor know he's earned the role of Romeo. The rascally writers arrive to find a masked ball underway, so they sneak into the party.

Shakespeare and Viola fall in love at first sight, even though Viola's father has just arranged her engagement to the obnoxious Lord Wessex (Justin Marlow), a well-born aristocrat in desperate need of money.

As the star-crossed romance between Shakespeare and Viola begins to unravel, it influences the playwright's work-in-progress, which morphs into a now-iconic tragedy.

"Shakespeare in Love" boasts a superlative cast of colorful side characters, including the formidable Queen Elizabeth I (Alix Golden), a sharp-tongued theatergoer with a penchant for plays featuring dogs; Viola's protective Nurse (Golden, who is impressive bouncing between the divergent parts), who agrees to pose as Thomas Kent's aunt; bloodthirsty John Webster (S M Boyer), a wannabe actor who covets the role of Romeo; egotistical actor Ned Alleyn (scene stealer Paxton Kliewer), whom Shakespeare tricks into playing Romeo's ill-fated friend Mercutio; and equally conceited actor and theater owner Richard Burbage (Tyler Malinauskas), who is rival to both Ned and Henslowe.

Music director Amanda Lee wisely spotlights Maurice Quintel Simmons, who plays the small part of Robin Nol, and his gorgeous high tenor voice often during the show.

The capable cast is expertly outfitted by costume designer Lloyd Cracknell.

How does the play measure up to the movie 'Shakespeare in Love?'

Much ado has been made about "Shakespeare in Love's" dominance at the 71st Academy Awards, especially its best picture win over Steven Spielberg's World War II epic "Saving Private Ryan."

But "Shakespeare in Love" is an excellent film, boasting a superb screenplay, smart and witty dialogue and an astounding cast. The costumes, sets and music are incredible, the passion is palpable in the love story, and the high-concept premise works. It functions as both a loving send-up of theater and an ardent love letter to Shakespeare, incorporating iconic lines from The Bard's writings as well as familiar tropes from his works, from cross-dressing disguises and mistaken identities to a play-within-a-play and suspected ghost sightings.

The stage version is largely faithful to the film. The play features more of the relationship between Shakespeare and Marlowe, which is one of my favorite aspects of the story. The love scenes in Oklahoma Shakespeare's production are less explicit than those in the movie, but Murray and Schmitz generate plenty of steamy chemistry to fuel the romance.

Although the stage adaptation doesn't have the cinematic sweep of the movie, it has the irreplaceable immediacy and intimacy of live theater.

How does Oklahoma Shakespeare's latest production take advantage of its outdoor setting?

Oklahoma Shakespeare Executive Producer Tyler Woods directs OKC's first production of "Shakespeare in Love" with a firm grip that keeps the twisty narrative on track as well as an obvious love of the material that adds to the merriment.

Woods also choreographed the fight scenes, while Rebekah Valencia devised the dance sequences. Both take full advantage of Oklahoma Shakespeare's outdoor space, from scenic designer Edward T. Morris' new two-story stage to the surrounding lawn and paths.

Considering the size of the cast and the scope of the action, "Shakespeare in Love" is a natural fit for the venerable theater's two-year-old outdoor venue in the Paseo.

Despite the sweltering summer temperatures, the still-growing Shakespeare Gardens were warm but not uncomfortable 30 minutes before showtime at the Aug. 10 opening-night performance.

As the sun started to set, it cooled off to pleasant picnic weather. With the abundance of Paseo restaurants and Oklahoma Shakespeare's new Saturday night picnic deliveries from Toast and Coffee, The Shakespeare Gardens has become one of my favorite places to enjoy dinner and a show with my husband.

And if you're in the mood for a literate love story with an abundance of Shakespearean twists, this play's the thing.

What's next for Oklahoma Shakespeare in Park?

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is cannily following "Shakespeare in Love" with The Bard's tragedy it most frequently references, "Romeo & Juliet."

Billed as the state's only professional, full-time, classical theater company, Oklahoma Shakespeare will revisit the iconic star-crossed tale Sept. 14-24 outside in The Shakespeare Gardens. 

'SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE' 

• When: Through Aug. 20.

• Where: Outside in The Shakespeare Gardens, 2920 Paseo.   

• Tickets and information: https://www.okshakes.org.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Stage version of Oscar winner 'Shakespeare in Love' makes OKC debut