New Line kicks off its 34th season with the return of one of the funniest, smartest musicals in recent years, BAT BOY. Created by Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming, and Laurence O'Keefe, this outrageously entertaining rock thriller is based on a bizarre and hilarious story ripped from the headlines of the satirical tabloid The Weekly World News. The musical tells the strange tale of a half-boy, half-bat discovered in a West Virginia cave, sparking a heartwarming yet freaky journey that defies expectations.
In 1992, the Weekly World News first described the bat child this way: "Discovered in a cave in Hope Falls, West Virginia, this half-bat has escaped from captivity and is currently at large. He can be identified by large, pointy ears and oversized eyes that make him profoundly sensitive to sound and light. The creature has reportedly attacked at least 3 people with his razor-sharp fangs and should be considered extremely dangerous." Since then he has become a national hero and he even went to Afghanistan, where his instincts were particularly useful in caves, to fight the Taliban. Now, finally, his real story can be told.
BAT BOY tackles a range of bold topics, like American prejudice, modern religion, genetic engineering, even inter-species sex. Think of it as Little Shop of Horrors meets Les Misérables meets Dracula, with its own unique blend of big-hearted comic horror that will have you checking under the bed at night and nibbling on your loved ones during the day.
The musical was first developed through workshops at the Directors Company in Los Angeles during 1999 and 2000, later premiering at L.A.’s Actor’s Gang Theatre before its New York debut in 2001 at the Union Square Theatre. BAT BOY won the 2001 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical, the 2001 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, the 1999 and 2000 Richard Rodgers Awards, and a Theatre World Award for Deven May in the title role.
The New Line cast includes Rafael DaCosta (as Edgar the Bat Boy), Ian McCreary (Dr. Thomas Parker), Brittany Kohl (Meredith Parker), Marlee Wenski (Shelley Parker), Stephen Thompson (Sheriff Reynolds), Bee Mecey (Ron Taylor/Mayor Maggie), Zack Huels (Deputy Bud/Daisy/Pan), Ronmal Mottley (Mrs. Taylor/Rev. Hightower/Roy), Zack Thompson (Rick Taylor/Lorraine), and Chelsie Johnston (Ruthie Taylor/Ned/Impassioned Female Soloist). New Line's production will be directed by Scott Miller and Chris Moore, with music direction by Jason Eschhofen, and costume design by Becca Rose Bessette.
New Line previously produced Bat Boy in 2003 and 2006. Bat Boy is produced by arrangement with Broadway Licensing, New York.
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