Prep will perform'Bat Boy' musical

Bat Boy was a pop-culture icon of the 1990s created by the tabloid Weekly World News .

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Musical theater students at Augusta Preparatory Day School are bringing his story to the stage this weekend in Bat Boy: The Musical .

"To me, the neatest thing is that it is a comedy, a tragedy, a love story and a horror movie all wrapped into one, which is really unique," said Jamie McAteer, theater teacher and production director.

The students will perform the musical at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the school's Hull Fine Arts Center at 285 Flowing Wells Road in Martinez. Tickets cost $10 for students and $12 for adults, and will be available at the door.

McAteer said the cast, many of whom play more than one character, must audition to take the course. So the actors take the funny musical seriously.

"It is kind of ridiculous. It is really funny and silly, but it is not a spoof," McAteer said. "It is not silly to them. They are treating it just like a really dramatic piece of literature. ... It is life or death to them up on that stage and everything that is going on. But it is funny to us."

The production, which features many musical numbers, follows the story of Bat Boy. The creature, who is half-human and half-bat, made several appearances in the now-defunct supermarket tabloid. Stories in the tabloid followed his discovery in a cave, his numerous captures, daring escapes and even explorations into his genealogy.

Bat Boy's story inspired a book and the off-Broadway musical production.

The musical is funny, presenting a skewed version of familiar themes, but not a musical parody or spoof. McAteer said audience members can expect to laugh, and possibly cry. "Some audience members may just laugh the entire time and think that it is the most hilarious thing they've ever seen," McAteer said. "Some people will get wrapped up in these characters. They might find themselves being brought to tears."

For information or to reserve tickets in advance, send an e-mail to theater@augustaprep.org.

If you go

What: Augusta Preparatory Day School's production of Bat Boy: The Musical

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

Where: Hull Fine Arts Center, 285 Flowing Wells Road, Martinez

Cost: $12 for adults; $10 for students