Quickly! What do you think of when you hear the term, "Greek Drama?"

If you're like most of us, you are probably visualizing dreary tomes you were forced to read during high school literature class, filled with toga-clad centenarians, hard-to-understand Greek chorus members and long speeches about war, valor and honor.

Well, the Burien Little Theatre has a wonderful surprise for you. This month, they are presenting the classic anti-war, battle-of-the-sexes Greek comedy (yes, a bawdy, over-the-top comedy!), Lysistrata, with a few unexpected twists.

Gone are the toga-clad geezers. Instead, wrap your head around some lovely ladies in poodle skirts, men in Mr. Rogers-style cardigans and white socks, and a leading lady looking marvelous in her high heels and wrap-around dress.

Yep, this is ancient Greece played a bit like ancient "Grease." You still have the informative narratives by the Greek chorus, or in this case, the "Geek chorus" (okay, I'll stop with the bad jokes!), but modern audiences will enjoy this 20th century take on some very classic themes.

Lysistrata (Dana Rice) is a headstrong housewife from Athens, whose husband has been gone for months fighting in the Peloponnesian War. She has cooked up a brilliant plan for the women to stop the war and bring the men home.

On board with her are her fellow Athenians Kleonike (Laurie Winogrand) and Myrrhine (Kristin Alexander), and delegates from the opposing side Sparta, who include Lampito (Kirsten McCory) and Ismenia (Talisa Steen).

Lysistrata has convinced the women that the only way the war will end is if they withhold sex from their husbands until they agree to negotiate for peace.

As she tells them, "We'll paint, powder and pluck ourselves ... wearing those filmy tunics that set off everything we have - and slink up to the men."

"They'll ... go absolutely MAD to love us - but we don't let them!" she instructs.

"We'll abstain. I imaging they'll conclude a treaty rather quickly!"

So, the war of the sexes begins.

With all the younger men away at war, mostly old men remain to defend Athens. Lysistrata's ladies storm the Acropolis and overtake the elderly guardians, who include the Koryphaios of the Old Men (William Philips) and his chorus (John Lynch and Eric Smiley).

The Commissioner of Public Safety (Brian Kiger) and his police officer (PJ Perry) are powerless to stop this woman's army (which also includes a fine performance by Melissa Malloy).

Director Maggie Larrick has boldly woven together elements of fun, "fluffy" 1950s pop culture with a definite statement about the need for women's voices in public policy and the costs and absurdity of war. Not exactly what you might expect out of an evening of community theatre.

But stand-out performances by Dana Rice as the clever, courageous Lysistrata, Laurie Winogrand as her comrade in arms, and Joey McGuire as Myrrhine's "over-inflated" husband keep the action quick, clean and amusing.

Fine support is also given by William Philips, John Lynch and Eric Smiley as the chorus of Old Men. Here is a group of actors who deftly play the butt of most of the jokes, and do so with good humor and adroit physical comedy.

John Flynn and Mikki Kunz' set design perfectly evokes images of the 1950s. The wonderful costumes are courtesy of Sheri Barr, lights are by Dave Baldwin and the original musical score is by Allan Loucks.

Aristophanes' Greek comedy continues through April 27, Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket and performance information is available on BLT's website at www.burienlittletheatre.com, which includes their Dinner-And-A-Show package and Five Buck Friday, or by calling 206-242-5180.

Come on out to BLT for this unique take on classic Greek drama. Your high school English teacher would be proud!