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In 1992, a Weekly World News tabloid story reported that a half-boy, half-bat was found living in a cave. More recently, multiple Bat Boy sightings have been reported in the Baumholder Military Community.
The Hilltop Theater is preparing for its production of Bat Boy: The Musical. The cast and crew from both Baumholder and Kaiserslautern military communities are rehearsing long hours in preparation for opening night. “Bat Boy: The Musical” is a wacky Appalachian Gothic comic tragedy packed with hilarious song and dance numbers,” says Director, Eric Danzeiser.
“Issues of hatred, revenge, hypocrisy, and racism are dealt with in a wickedly hilarious way, and the overall message is one of acceptance and forgiveness.”
The story: teenage spelunkers discover a feral Bat Boy living in a cave. During the capture, Bat Boy attacks one of the teenagers and is handed over to the town veterinarian to be put down. Bat Boy’s life is spared and he tries to gain acceptance with the town people, only to face hatred and violence, and the secret of Bat Boy’s history is revealed during a climactic moment. The humor is dark, the songs are dripping with sarcasm and wit, and the thread of social commentary running through Bat Boy will make you think long after the final notes fade away.
Dominic Sparks takes ‘Bat Boy’ from a hissing caged animal to a charming, well-educated young man. The Parker family is the central focus of the story as Tim Ekola embodies conflicted insanity as veterinarian Thomas Parker.
Cheryl Navo is the maternal Meredith, and Juliana Knaup plays flouncy but sincere daughter Shelley. A talented ensemble includes Tom Navo, Nicholas Perez, Christopher Craven, Sarah Holliday, Kristen Holliday, Shelby Gibbins, Stacy Meltz, Chris Senkbeil, Rachel Holliday, Kara Craven, and Melanie Robinson playing a multitude of roles, from townsfolk to teens to religious revivalists.
Bat Boy: The Musical, by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe premiered in 1997 and has since been produced off-Broadway, in London’s West End, and scores of venues throughout the world. The Baumholder Hilltop Theater’s performance is through special arrangement with Dramatist’s Play Service, Inc.
Bat Boy: The Musical opens at the Baumholder Hilltop Theater the weekend of Feb. 15 and 16 and continues through the following two weekends, Feb. 22 and 23 and March 1 and 2, with six total performances. Parental guidance is suggested due to adult themes. The Hilltop Theater is located beside Burger King on Smith Barracks. Show tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, and there is a family rate of $25 for families of four or more. Tickets may also be obtained by calling 485-7244 or through the FB page “The Hilltop Theater.”
