Science Friday Presents: Frankenfest!

Science Friday celebrates the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s classic live in New York City.

This event is part of our winter Book Club conversation about Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein. Want to participate? Sign up for our newsletter or call our special voicemail at 567-243-2456. 


Science Friday celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein with FRANKENFEST, a Frankenstein-themed variety show at Caveat in New York City.

We enjoyed musical performances by Henry Koperski & Daniel Tepper, fantastic true-life storytelling from Rebecca Brachman and Bess Stillman of The Stroy Collider, and an exploration of creepy science from Science Friday’s own Lauren Young and Rachel Bouton.

The evening was a monstrously good time.

Couldn’t make it this time? Sign up for our events newsletter to find out when Science Friday is heading your way.

woman at a microphone speaking to an audience

Science Friday's Rachel Bouton warming up the crowd. Credit: D Peterschmidt

woman at a microphone speaking to an audience

Rebecca Brachman of Story Collider tells the harrowing story of how she accidentally poisoned herself. Credit: D Peterschmidt

two women speaking to each other onstage

Rachel introduces Science Friday's Lauren Young. Credit: D Peterschmidt

two women speaking to an audience with an old medical drawing displayed behind them

Lauren talks 18th century galvanism. Credit: D Peterschmidt

a woman onstage telling a story to an audience

Bess Stillman of Story Collider tells the amusing story of the strange cases that come into the hospital late at night. Credit: D Peterschmidt

a man with two girls at a table, one of the girl's faces is illuminated by purple light from a science experiment

Crowd members figure out how to generate light using some wires and a potato. Credit: D Peterschmidt

woman with microphone speaking to a man and a girl on stage

Rachel pulls up some crowd members to play a riveting game of "Franken Franks." Credit: D Peterschmidt

two men, one on piano and one singing, performing to an audience

Henry Koperski and Daniel Tepper perform "The Brain" from the Young Frankenstein musical. Credit: D Peterschmidt

This event was supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Meet the Writers

About Rachel Bouton

Rachel Bouton was the events manager at Science Friday.

About D. Peterschmidt

D. Peterschmidt is a producer, host of the podcast Universe of Art, and composes music for Science Friday’s podcasts. Their D&D character is a clumsy bard named Chip Chap Chopman.

Explore More

‘Breakthrough: Women In Science’ In Theaters!

From March 5 - 31, the Science Friday video series is heading to Alamo Drafthouses across the U.S.

Read More