Hawaii has seen many productions of classic plays in which the playwright’s story has been reworked, modernized or localized in one way or another. Consider, for example, "Twelfth Night" "translated" into pidgin. "Romeo and Juliet" in a strip club. "Othello" set in 19th-century Hawaii, but with Othello a Hawaiian and Iago the racial outsider.

Some of these experiments have respected the work of the playwright, while others have distorted the balance of the original or played tragedy for laughs.

Leeward Community College’s ambitious production of "Oedipus the King" dresses the characters in modern attire, but the structure of the story and the relationships of the characters remain as they were when Sophocles wrote this epic tragedy more than 2,400 years ago.

Joshua Weldon (Oedipus) dominates the action with his powerful and passionate performance as the doomed king of Thebes.

Modern audiences encountering the story for the first time can be forgiven if they are unsure about exactly what doomed Oedipus. Is he a victim of the gods’ capriciousness? Is he a victim of his pride? His temper? Or is it his unrelenting obsession with solving problems and unraveling mysteries, even when those around him ask him — no, beg him — to leave well enough alone?

Weldon’s performance defines Oedipus as a man of unwavering honor. When Oedipus is told that the salvation of Thebes depends on finding the person who killed Laius,the previous king of Thebes, who was also the former husband of Oedipus’ wife, Jocasta, he relentlessly pursues each clue and lead.

Greeks of Sophocles’ time would have known that Oedipus was the victim of forces beyond his control. The family had been cursed for something Laius did years before Oedipus was born, and it extends through several innocent generations.

Andy Valencia (Jocasta), who doesn’t look nearly old enough to be Weldon’s mother, nails the scene where Jocasta realizes the truth and begs Oedipus to stop the investigation.

Leeward’s stage regular Shawn Anthony Thomsen brings a welcome bit of levity to the proceedings as the messenger from Corinth who delivers Oedipus most of the information he needs to determine who killed Laius and confirm the identity of his biological parents. Hawaii stage veteran Reb Beau Allen (Creon) makes a good impression in the major secondary role of Oedipus’ brother-in-law (and uncle).

Director Betty Burdick has made a calculated gamble in placing the story in a modern setting and adding contemporary choreographed movement. The curiosity factor is an effective draw. However, none of the cosmetic choices alter the balance of the story or the relationships between characters.

Nor do they dilute the timeless emotions evoked in watching an honorable man unknowingly, and with the best of intentions, embark on a journey that will lead to his destruction.