Adam Stein, Keira Naughton, Pete Simpson, Matt Saldivar and Evan Robertson comprise the fictitious clan group from upstate New York. The Petersons have previously performed at the Sh-K-Boom Room's summer series at The Zipper Theatre and at Joe's Pub.

Each performance is a hybrid of a concert and a play. All the actors play instruments, and take turns singing original songs, often bickering comically between numbers. Naughton and Stein play an apparently none-too-happy husband and wife. Shows sometimes feature surprise guests; past guests include Tony winner James Naughton, Keira's dad, Naughton family friend Paul Newman, John Cameron Mitchell, Ben Shenkman and Michael C. Hall.

The new act, called "The Petersons Return!" will contain "investigations of early-80's power rock, the subversive pervasiveness of vampirism, the remarkable tenaciousness of Dungeons and Dragons in remaining in the zeitgeist, the blight of corporate buccaneerism on small town and local culture, and quite possibly an appearance by the youngest member of the Petersons Fan Club," according to Stein.

A recent Nov. 8, 2004, show saw the Petersons celebrate a tardy Oktoberfest. The group explained that the necessary leiderhosen was late in arriving in the mail.

The group debuted a new piece July 30-Aug. 1, 2004, at New York Stage and Film's Vassar College headquarters. According to press information, in The Petersons Project "the fate of one very unorthodox hard-rockin' family hangs in the balance when corporate interests threaten to close down a legendary music emporium."