The West Virginia University Division of Theatre and Dance will present its last performance of the year,Bat Boy: The Musical,at the Creative Arts Center April 21-29.
Bat Boyis a comedic-horror romp about a half boy/half bat creature that is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls . Brought to the home of the town veterinarian, he tries to blend in with society, only to face hatred and violence from a town that fears him.
Eventually he learns to speak, is accepted by the vet’s family and falls tragically in love.
Or is it so tragic? See what happens when Bat Boy meets the veterinarian’s teenage daughter.
Performances in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre will begin at 7:30 p.m. April 21-22 and 25-28. In addition, there will be two matinee performances at 2 p.m. April 23 and 29.
Bat Boy’s antics have regularly appeared in the tabloid, Weekly World News , inspiring Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming to write this stage adaptation. They were joined by composer and lyricist Laurence O’Keefe, and their first production appeared at Tim Robbins’Actors’Gang Theatre on Halloween night in 1997.
Since then, the musical has been produced off-Broadway, in London’s West End and throughout the world.
Bat Boyhas won rave reviews and is regarded as one of the funniest and most imaginative musicals in years. It received the Lucille Lortel Award for best off-Broadway musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award in 2001.
Songs includeHold Me, Bat Boy,Christian Charity,Ugly Boy,Whatcha Wanna Do?/Hey Freak,Home for You,Another Dead Cow,Dance With Me, Darling,Show You a Thing or TwoandKill the Bat Boy,among others.
Guest director Tom O’Connor is a former member of the WVU Theatre and Dance faculty. A few years ago, he adapted and staged Franz Kafka’sMetamorphosisat the CAC to great acclaim.
The cast ofBat Boyfeatures WVU acting students Maggie Attebery, Vance Barber, Ginger Brannon, Denice Burbach, Kellsye Carhill, Samantha Clay, Rodney Creech, Aaron Crothers, Michelle Gilbert, Aaron Keller, Stephanie Nesser, Madeline Ranson, Daniel Stevens, Aileen Targett, Tracy Toman and Jason Scott as the Bat Boy.
Designers include Reiko Ishikawa, costumes; WVU theatre professor Joshua Williamson, lighting; and Justin Walsh, scenic design.
Kate Bluhm is technical director; Adam Taylor, stage manager; and R.J. Nestor, music director.
Tickets forBat Boy: The Musicalare $15 for the general public and $12 for WVU faculty and staff, senior citizens, students and children.
For tickets or more information, call the Mountainlair and CAC box offices at 304-293-SHOW.