Students in the sciences be warned: No matter how virtuous your intentions -- avoid experimenting on yourself.

The musical version of Jekyll and Hyde, which will be presented by the Penn State Thespians this weekend in Schwab Auditorium, serves to illustrate the dangers of self-induced science.

Based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson, the story follows a well-intentioned Dr. Jekyll and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde.

In the story, Dr. Jekyll tries to cure his sick father. Jekyll believes evil in his father's soul is the cause of his ailment.

"He develops this potion to try and separate the evil and the good from everyone," said Ross Peduzzi (freshman-Spanish), who will portray both Jekyll and Hyde. "He succeeds in separating them, but the evil takes over."

Peduzzi said Jekyll's evil side, the violent and ruthless Mr. Hyde, reveals himself through Jekyll with the aid of the potion, then slowly overcomes Jekyll.

"As the play progresses, so does Hyde's presence," Peduzzi said.

Playing two distinct characters is difficult, said Peduzzi, who performs the two sides of Jekyll's personality with a sharp contrast and uses his eyes to illustrate each side.

"It definitely took some time to give each character his own personality," he said. "Transforming between the two can be difficult."

Peduzzi said he had to develop the emotions behind what drives Hyde.

"A lot of people see Hyde as a monster, but ... I tried to develop him as more lust-driven, not necessarily as a monster," he said.

Director John Newman (junior-theatre) said he tried to work with Peduzzi and the other actors to help develop their characters.

"As a result, we're going to have a really strong show," Newman said.

Courtney Lope, a junior at State College Area High School, plays Emma, Jekyll's fiancée. She said her work with Newman has been rewarding.

"He's had me do some really funny character work, but it's worked," she said.

Emma loves Jekyll, Lope said, but deliberates over the decision to remain by his side after he starts transforming into Hyde.

"My constant struggle is whether or not I should stay with him," she said. "She's a pretty dynamic character."

Members of the cast said the show's music and dance create the dark, frightening atmosphere that surrounds the two personalities of Jekyll.

Jennifer Stearns (junior-advertising and public relations), who plays Nellie, said the strength of the mood even has the ability to overtake the cast.

"The first time we did some of the scenes it was scary for even us -- and we're doing it," she said.

Newman said he has directed in the past, most recently No Refund Theatre's performance of Machinal, but this is his first production with the Thespians.

"I think I bring a different perspective on it," Newman said. "It's interesting to see what other people bring to the table."

Andrea Roposh (senior-secondary education), president of the Penn State Thespians said the moods of Jekyll and Hyde and Assassins, the group's premier fall performance, are unique, despite the grim subject matter in both.

"It's interesting doing two macabre shows in one year, but [the atmosphere] feels very different in both shows," she said.

Jekyll and Hyde will complete the Thespians' 110th anniversary, commemorated by a 10-year banner that will be unveiled in Schwab Auditorium before Saturday night's performance.

"This is our 191st show, which is hard to believe," Roposh said.

Peduzzi said the audience should leave the show with an awareness of the good and evil within everyone, which is Jekyll's fundamental struggle.

"People need to be aware of the evil within themselves. It exists in everyone whether they like it or not," he said. "They need to control it, so it doesn't control their relationships and their lives."