There are two major misconceptions plaguing Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The first is that the monster’s name is Frankenstein. The second is that Frankenstein can’t be funny—even Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein had to retell the story with a new cast of characters. But Faction of Fools, the District’s resident commedia dell’arte ensemble, finds plenty of humor in the original work, which is why the group has adapted the classic tale of horror into a stage play that incorporates physical comedy, acrobatics, and original music. Though this week’s performances are only a preview of the production—the full version will premiere in October as part of the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival—you’ll be able to see how five actors in grotesque masks transform into Victorian poets, sailors, and angry, torch-wielding mobs. After the workshop, the company will unmask and turn back into regular folks to take questions about the artistic process and explain their adaptation. The workshop runs Feb. 25 to March 1 at the Eastman Studio Theatre at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave. NE. $5 suggested donation. factionoffools.org.