Local Broadway enthusiasts won't need to shell out exorbitant amounts of money or drive for hours this weekend to get their musical fix -- the action is coming to them.

The Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) is set to perform Broadway classic The King and I at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Eisenhower Auditorium. The musical tells the story of an English schoolteacher who goes to Siam, now Thailand, to teach the country's royal family.

"In particular, it tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, the school teacher, and what happens when East meets West and tradition is challenged by change," Michael Jinbo, NVS music director and conductor, said.

The musical is set in the mid-19th century, concertmaster Joanne Feldman said. Anna's Western ideals are different from the traditions of the Siamese culture she enters into, creating friction between the characters and providing material for jokes.

"There is humor but a darker side as well. Her Victorian upbringing has not prepared [Leonowens] for some of the customs, like polygamy, she encounters. This makes for some tension as well as very funny situations," Feldman said.

Each year, NVS performs a Broadway musical. Past selections include Guys and Dolls, The Music Man and My Fair Lady, Feldman said. Jinbo chose The King and I specifically because of its universal charm.

"I've tried to pick classic musicals that have broad appeal," Jinbo said.

Much of the appeal comes from the easily recognized Broadway songs such as "Whistle a Happy Tune," "Shall We Dance?" and "Something Wonderful," Jinbo said. The musical is one of Feldman's favorites.

"My favorite thing is revisiting this show again. I've played it several times, from high school on up. I love the music, and the show is both funny and poignant," Feldman said.

Her first time performing The King and I was by invitation from a former violin teacher.

"It was a magical experience, one of the first 'shows' I'd played," Feldman said.

Despite the time gap between performances and the different groups she has performed with, Feldman said the shows haven't been too different.

"It's very similar. I can see more deeply into the characters now, I suppose. It's so great to see the story of Uncle Tom's Cabin filtered through the Siamese culture," Feldman said, referring to Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1852 novel, from which The King and I is based. "One of the characters identifies deeply with poor Eliza, the runaway slave, and she gets herself into a lot of trouble."

This performance will feature a pit orchestra of about 40 musicians, as well as a cast of actors, singers, and dancers, Jinbo said.

Since January, there have been several rehearsals a week because there has been less time to prepare for this show

as compared to others, Jinbo said.

NVS performances often draw an audience that spans all ages and backgrounds, he said, adding that the performance would be particularly appealing to families with children.

Feldman hopes Penn State students will attend as well.

"Penn State students do attend our concerts. I hope to see a lot of them for this one," she said. "If they come, they'll have a good time."

Jeremy Greenbaum (freshman-musical theatre) shares Feldman's opinion.

"Well, it's a Rodgers and Hammerstein show, and they're probably the most famous writing duo. [Students] should experience a Rodgers and Hammerstein show," Greenbaum said.

Although the play is set in the 1860s, themes in The King and I relate to the present, especially to students, Greenbaum said.

"It's about learning about different cultures," he said. "As a responsible member of society, you should be willing to learn from [other cultures] even if they're different from you."