Phroth will be presenting its unique comedy stylings this weekend in Phroth Phest, an annual compilation of original sketches performed by members of No Refund Theatre (NRT).

The sketch show is written entirely by members of Phroth and will feature performances never previously seen by an audience.

Phroth is a comedy club that produces several publications, including Phroth magazine and the Phaily Phollegian.

Ian Candy (senior-economics), co-director of the show and Phroth writer, said Phroth Phest 2007 is the fifth installment that has been performed in conjunction with NRT.

He said the show is made up of absurdist, joke-oriented comedy, and each year's script is different.

Fellow director Jeff Kornberg (junior-English) said the show is popular with the student crowd.

"You won't find this anywhere but Penn State," he said. "A lot of people love student-produced work; we're always really happy with the turnout."

NRT member Matt Davidson (junior-media studies and political science), who is performing in the show, said the Phroth Phest shows usually attract big audiences.

"It's great to perform in it," he said. "With comedy, there's instant gratification with laughter."

Acting in her first Phroth Phest, Sarah Nathan (sophomore-journalism) said the atmosphere would be very laid-back and the show focuses more on the quality of the acting itself rather than the aesthetic sets.

Nathan also added that each actor is featured in about six to eight sketches.

"There's more room for improv since it's sketch comedy," she said. "It's really light and really fun."

Jason Hellmann (senior-history) is a Phroth writer who contributed to the script. He also said the actors really get the sort of humor the writers were trying to convey.

"It's a great variety of comedy," he said. "People will enjoy it if they came out to see it."

Another NRT member, Bill Curran (senior-film and video) is acting in his first Phroth Phest.

He said this will be his first sketch-comedy show and that one of the key things to accomplish with sketch comedy is timing.

"I think [sketch comedy] really tests you as an actor," he said.

He also said the experience is fun because in every sketch he becomes a different character who will be totally unlike the one he had just played.

Nathan said above all, the show will be unique.

"It's not your average night of theater," Nathan said. "In what other show can you see Ninja Turtles, psycho TV hosts, unprepared preachers and pants-less bosses?"