1To act a role; to play a part (used as a variant of 演じる, somewhat formal or literary).
彼は舞台で主人公を演ずることになった。
He was cast to play the lead role on stage.
若い頃からさまざまな役を演ずる経験を積んだ。
From a young age he gained experience playing various roles.
映画で悪役を演ずるために、体重を増やした。
He put on weight to play the villain in the movie.
2To perform a play or production; to put on (a performance or show).
小学校の学芸会で古典劇を演ずる予定だ。
They plan to stage a classic play at the elementary school's cultural festival.
劇団は来月、新作を演ずることを発表した。
The theatre troupe announced they will perform a new work next month.
彼女はピアノ伴奏付きで短い劇を演ずる。
She will perform a short play accompanied by piano.
3To put on a false appearance or pretend to be something one is not, or, in another sense, to commit a blunder and disgrace oneself.
彼は良い夫を演ずることに必死で、本心を誰にも見せなかった。
He was desperate to play the role of a good husband and showed his true feelings to no one.
彼は大事な商談で言葉を誤り、大失態を演ずることになった。
He misspoke during an important business negotiation and ended up committing a major blunder.