William Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen Of Verona" brings fizzy summer fun to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, through July 13, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.

The production is paced by fine lead performances, but, as often happens with Shakespeare's romantic comedies, while the play may be the thing, the clowns have it. "Two Gents" is a romp-com.

Notes and missives, the tweets and emails of their day, have a role all their own: here a dropped note, there a torn note, bringing mirth or grief or a combination of the two to the characters.

Speaking of another type of character, Shakespeare had no 140-character limit. More often than not, "Two Gents" is sheer poetic delight: "publisher of this pretense" and "dumb jewels not words." "Heaven-bred poesy," indeed.

The play is impressive fun for several monologues, or speeches, quite a few of which are tongue-twisters. There are also numerous puns and what could be termed Shakespearean one-liners, to wit: "If you love her, you cannot see her, for love is blind."

Zack Robidas, as Proteus, one of two male leads, cuts a dashing and sincere figure with a solid performance that propels the plotline of vacillating love.

Proteus's friend (and rival, hence: frenemy), Valentine, is portrayed by Luigi Sottile with a bit more rakish abandon, as befits the part.

Silvia, the object of Valentine's affection, is presented by Marnie Schulenburg as a demure damsel, yet equally dedicated to her beau.

Julia, played with verve and perspicuity by Nicole Erb, dons a guise to see just what her guy's up to. Erb further advances the storyline with delightful facial expressions.

At the center of the humor are two of Shakespeare's emerging stock clown characters: Speed, rendered with impish charm by Peter Danelski, and Launce, a Falstaffian figure played with great gusto by Scott Greer, made all the more humorous with Crab the dog (Duncan, a rescue dog responding with eternal gratitude) in tow.

Peter DeLaurier brings a forthrightness to the role of Duke, father of Silvia.

Alex Bechtel, who garners guffaws as a foppish Thurio, yet another romantic rival to Valentine, is music director.

Memorable in supporting roles are Ashleen Rowan, Brian McCann, Brett Lawlor and Phoenix Best.

Director Matt Pfeiffer cleverly opens the show with music by the actors, who sing and play contemporary songs in the style of the era during interludes throughout the approximate two-hour play (including intermission).

Costume Designer Marla Jurglanis provides splendid gowns for the women, fine duds for the men, and rustic attire for the buffoons.

Scenic Designer Samina Vieth, Lighting Designer Steve TenEyck and Sound Designer Matthew Given bring minimalist magic to the play, without causing a distraction.