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  • 1.  Bat Boy, The Musical

    Posted 05-03-2016 10:08

    Has anyone produced this musical? Any warnings? Suggestions? Audience issues?

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    John Perry
    Drama Instructor
    Atherton High School
    Louisville KY
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  • 2.  RE: Bat Boy, The Musical

    Posted 05-04-2016 07:49

    Great Show!!!  I've done "selections" from it, but due to the "Children/Children" number and other sexual references, and because the religious leaders are depicted as negative stereotypes, I'm reluctant to do the entire show in my community.

    If you're in a more progressive area, it is a great choice.  

    From a teaching and performing standpoint, songs like "Comfort and Joy" that end act one are a wonderful technical and musical challenge. The orchestrations are complex but my kids had a blast working out the harmonies, counter-point vocals, etc.

    Have fun with it!

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    Josh Ruben
    Fine Arts Head, Northwest Whitfield
    Chattanooga TN



  • 3.  RE: Bat Boy, The Musical

    Posted 05-04-2016 10:24

    Yes I produced Bat Boy a few years ago.  It's a fantastic show that really discusses many social issues.  You will need to be very careful if you are in an area that is very conservative, they may find this show offensive.  Things to watch for (that I can recall), The animal orgy scene (cut this scene!), the rape scene (can be done theatrically), and the church scene.  I will say that Bat Boy has been one of my favorites and my students LOVED this show.  It doesn't require much for a set and the music is great!  It probably has the BEST Act 1 finale of any musical!  Hope this helps!

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    Ryan Landmann
    Palm Desert CA



  • 4.  RE: Bat Boy, The Musical

    Posted 05-05-2016 09:44

    We did it about 6 years ago. NO problems and the audience loved it. We left in "Children Children" but did it with stuffed animals and the cast in animal costumes made of "found objects" and we then had the actors "make out" with the stuffed animals to great hilarity. No simulated sex, just kissing.  Then they had some of the stuffed animals kiss. Because we did it for humor, no offense.  We also played the preacher like a "James Brown" type (I'm in Ferguson, MO).  

    We put each cast member in a single color and all of their characters wore that color.  The kids each chose the color scheme (We had blue, red, yellow, green, purple and pink). The Sherriff (who selected pink) also played "Delilah" (as a dumb blonde to much audience laughter--especially because he was a 6'4" football lineman and a member of prom court). The family was in neutrals (the mother was in white and played a swan in "Children Children" and the doctor was in gray and was an elephant). We did the "bat rape" as SUPER campy with fake bats that she grabbed and attached to herself with velcro.  When in doubt, we did things in the style of a B movie. 

    Again, the "camp" angle made things fly and it was a great experience! 

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    Douglas Erwin
    Ferguson, MO



  • 5.  RE: Bat Boy, The Musical

    Posted 05-04-2016 15:50

    If been in a professional show of Bat Boy.  If you can do bestiality, rape, cross dressing, foul language, spousal abuse and strange kinky characters, then it is a great fun show.  If you can't do these issues at your school, don't even go there.

    Good luck.

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    Kelly Thomas
    Mesquite TX