A group of soldiers arrive in Messina, Italy, after the war. They are invited to stay at a local politician’s house as her guests. One bright-eyed soldier, Claudio, has his eyes on the politician's daughter, the young and beautiful Hero. Claudio’s friend, the wise-cracking Benedick, is nervous to stay at the house as his former love interest is Hero’s attendant - the bold and independent Beatrice. Claudio proposes to Hero, she accepts, and the pair hatch a plan to lure Beatrice and Benedick back into Love. However, a villainous fellow soldier, Don John, is set on ruining Claudio’s joy. Don John hires local ne’er do wells to ruin the nuptials by designing a ruse wherein Hero would appear unfaithful. Claudio is successfully deceived. Young and old love hang in the balance of a cheap smear campaign when a public face is prized over a true heart.

ACT I - Leonato’s estate in Messina, Italy. Don Pedro, Claudio, and Benedick have returned from war and are greeted as guests of the house. Claudio falls for Hero, daughter of Leonato and Don Pedro offers to help him. Meanwhile, a witty war of words ensues between Beatrice and Benedick, former lovers. Don John, Don Pedro's disgruntled brother, plots to disrupt Claudio and Hero's budding romance.

ACT II -- All attend a masked ball where Don Pedro woos Hero on Claudio’s behalf. Don John attempts to sabotage the courtship by tricking Claudio into believing Hero is unfaithful. Meanwhile, the friends of Benedick and Beatrice devise a matchmaking plot to rekindle their love for one another: they will trick them into believing one is in love with the other despite their public behavior.

ACT III - The deception continues. Beatrice and Benedick are tricked into believing that the other is in love with them. Don John's plan to ruin Hero and Claudio's wedding is set in motion, with Borachio leading Hero's waiting woman, Margaret, to appear as Hero in a compromising situation - speaking to a man alone after dark.

ACT IV - During the wedding ceremony, Claudio publicly shames Hero, believing she has been unfaithful. Hero faints and is presumed dead. The watch apprehend Borachio and Conrade, who confess to their plot. Leonato, grief-stricken, demands that Claudio mourn Hero at her tomb and later marry a "niece".

ACT V - Claudio agrees to Leonato's terms and prepares to marry his "niece." At the wedding, the "niece" is revealed to be Hero, alive and well. Benedick and Beatrice finally confess their love for each other. Don John is apprehended. The parties no longer live under layers of pretending and posing out of social decorum. All are happier now that the truth has been brought to light!