The curtain rises on “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” at 7:30 tonight for the opening of the Wichita State University School of Performing Arts’ season.

Based on “Hamlet,” “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” by Tom Stoppard takes the less important characters from the Shakespeare play and puts them at the center of attention. Caleb Coffman, who plays Rosencrantz, said that working on the play has been hectic, but a great experience.

“He [Rosencrantz] is really innocent. He looks at the world with wonder, and I found that appealing,” he said of his role.

A lot of the appeal comes from the wordplay and double meaning that peppers the dialogue. This play takes the witty banter that Shakespeare was known for and modernizes it.

For those in the audience who can’t keep up with the words, there is plenty to look at.

Small details from “Hamlet” can be found on the stage, whether it’s the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy used as a backdrop during Act 2 or the presence of Yorick’s skull throughout. The costumes also take their cue from the Elizabethan styles that were prevalent when “Hamlet” was written. Costume and makeup designer for “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” Amanda Keeton said that she wanted to keep the costumes more traditional.

This is Keeton’s last show before graduation, and she was thrilled to be offered the costume designer position after working in the costume shop for many shows.

“It’s been fun getting experience being in charge of design,” she said. “I was also really excited to work with Maddie Nevins [the set designer] again. I worked with her on the first show I ever did.”

Keeton’s experience at WSU has come full circle, much like the action does in the play. Those in the audience familiar with “Hamlet” will see all of the important parts in “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” They are just seen through different characters’ perspectives.

These perspectives often add quite a bit of humor, as is the case for Coffman’s Rosencrantz.

“The play has both comedy and drama. It maintains a sense of fun,” he said.

Coffman has experience doing a variety of shows. He did music theater while in high school in Coffeyville, Kan., and then a number of years ago got involved in community theater.

“A guy who was the technical director asked me to do a show for the local community college,” Coffman said. “I got back into it seriously and decided to go back to school and get my degree in theater.”

Keeton’s journey to this play has been a little different.

“I grew up watching my cousin in plays,” she said. “I’ve loved it since I was a little girl.”

The love of the work they are doing is evident from every performer and tech person working to put together WSU’s production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” Audiences will be entertained from the coin-toss game that opens the show to the final scene acted by the seemingly prophetic players.

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” (rated PG) runs September 27-30. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s performance is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students, $8 for faculty/staff, military and senior citizens, and $10 for the general public.