Penn State Thespians present Young Frankenstein in Schwab Auditorium this week — a musical rendition of Mel Brooks’ hit 1974 comedy.

The story revolves around Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein who famously created a murderous monster. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is a professor and scientist in New York when he learns that his grandfather has died and that he must travel to Transylvania to inherit his grandfather’s estate.

Dr. Frankenstein has no interest in continuing his grandfather’s “wacky work,” but throughout the story becomes increasingly intertwined with the science that Victor Frankenstein was famous for.

Dr. Frankenstein is accompanied by Igor, the grandson of Victor’s servant, and Inga, a local who becomes Young Frankenstein’s love interest. Reed Callan, Gerald Koledin, and Addison Albert star as Frederick, Igor, and Inga, respectively.

Meg Reed, the musical’s director, has seen her fair share of challenges throughout the course of putting Young Frankenstein together.

“Working with your friends is really hard,” Reed said. “This club is very tight knit and it’s so big. There are 162 people that I’m in charge of this week, so it’s been very overwhelming to be like, ‘We’re going to do it all at the same time.'”

Still, Reed is excited about the outcome — especially the creation of the monster scene. If you want to see why she’s excited about it, you’ll have to check the musical out for yourself.

The show is at the same time dark and eerie, while also colorful, funny, and upbeat. This musical is just about what anyone would order up around Halloween, as it has the crowd laughing throughout and plays well on the classic tale of the original Frankenstein.

What is Shannon Walker, the show’s producer, most excited to show people?

“Honestly, everything,” Walker said. “I adore every single person in this production because they’ve put so much work into this. Seeing the entire cast on stage is really incredible.”

You can catch the show Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., as well as Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the HUB through October 19, at the door, or online here. Tickets are $12 for adults, $4.98 for students, and $4.99 for children ages 12 and under.