Singer Karyn Levitt treated both music lovers and poetry enthusiasts to “Lyrics by Shakespeare” on Friday, a dynamic performance combining the two art forms.

Sponsored by the Oberlin College English department and the Alumni Association, the show included styles of music such as pop, Broadway, blues and jazz. Accompanied by Conservatory pianist Jacob Kidder, she made modern statements through the use of Shakespearean verse.

“[The show] is our take on Shakespeare’s take on love and life,” Levitt said.

In a vibrant costume, she rushed onto the stage of the Cat in the Cream.

“If music be the food of love, play on,” she said, captivating the audience with a single line.

The first portion of the show, called “Shakespeare on Life,” was devoted to Shakespeare’s idea of the seven ages of man that include infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, old age and death.

Levitt added to her singing with props, acting out the life stages as they came. Donning a baseball cap, she imitated the whining schoolboy, and then became more serious as she assumed the officer’s cap as the soldier.

“We hope the dimension of music has brought [Shakespeare’s] wonders into modern times,” Levitt said in her show.

The second portion of the show was a blend of many different styles and subjects, titled “Shakespeare in/on Love.” Levitt sang a cappella one moment, and then moved into jazz styling the next.

The traditional theme of love was followed by an aside on Shakespeare’s father’s role as a “glover,” one who makes gloves for a living, which then moved into a description of Shakespeare’s “dark lady” mistress.

“[Shakespeare’s] works cover every aspect of the human condition,” said Levitt.

The final poem put to music was Shakespeare’s 18th sonnet, which is perhaps his most famous.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” Levitt said to her audience.

The show ended in a vibrant swirl of color, all things combining to push the performance’s visual effect to the limits. The tones of the orange cloth covering the piano and the chandelier earrings dangling in Levitt’s ears called out, highlighting the nature of the show itself.

A frequent singer/actress in “cabaret shows that interweave music and theater,” Levitt’s background was apparent. The Cat could have been a nightclub, the single performer accented by piano, there to entertain those who came in for a drink — if the content of her performance were not so unusual.

“Although ‘Lyrics by Shakespeare’ was an honorable and significant creative undertaking, I feel that the informal and somewhat unpolished nature of the show took away some from its value,” said first-year student Chelsea Baker after viewing the performance.

The extreme modernism made the show rather humorous, sometimes putting a questionable spin on something so classic.

The idea to put Shakespeare’s words to a melody originally came from composer Leslie Hitelman, who wished to remember her favorite sonnets without painstakingly memorizing them.

Accustomed to arranging her thoughts in song, in 1999 Hitelman wrote the pieces that Levitt now performs. After a period in which they sat unused, Levitt recognized their value and convinced Hitelman, a good friend and contemporary, to allow her to use the music to present to others.

“It is my wish to perform ‘Lyrics by Shakespeare’ at universities and schools, because I feel it is a wonderful way for young people to be exposed to the works of the greatest of writers in the English language,” said Levitt in the program notes.

An Oberlin graduate of the class of 1987, Levitt recalls her time at school as one of discovery and impassioned learning. The most meaningful experience for her was a four-month study abroad, where she was fortunate enough to enroll in the Oberlin-in-London program.

“It left an indelible impression on me,” she said.

The immersion of culture it provided is responsible for Levitt’s current occupation.

“We saw 30 plays in four months,” she said, smiling as she reflected on the events from years past.

Levitt, in turn, has worked to leave an impression on those who see her shows. She hopes that the modern taking on something as classic as Shakespeare will help to increase the appreciation for his work in the 21st century.

The next morning, Levitt gave a talk in Wilder to explain her interpretation of Shakespeare, as well as to give tips on how to put together a show like hers.

Students were encouraged to come with questions and thoughts from the previous evening, in hopes that the performance could be better understood.