Bat Boy: The Musical

Bat Boy
The Musical
File:Batboycoverposter.jpg 1997 poster
Music	Laurence O'Keefe
Lyrics	Laurence O'Keefe
Book	Keith Farley Brian Flemming
Basis	Weekly World News's Bat Boy
Productions	1997 Off-Broadway 2004 London
Awards	Lucille Lortel Award Outer Critics Circle Award

Bat Boy: The Musical is an Off-Broadway musical based on Bat Boy, a character whose antics regularly appear in the Weekly World News tabloid. The story about a half-boy, half-bat found living in a cave inspired bookwriters Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming to write a stage adaptation. They were joined by American composer/lyricist Laurence O'Keefe (no relation to the English bassist Laurence O'Keefe) and their first production premiered on Halloween, 1997.

The musical differs in a few of its plot details from the Weekly World News portrayal of Bat Boy. In the musical, Bat Boy learns to speak from his adoptive family, yearns for acceptance and tries to join society, only to face hatred and violence from a town that fears him and jealous rage from his foster father. Although full of blood, violence, incest and interspecies sex, Bat Boy: The Musical has won several awards and rave reviews. John Lahr of The New Yorker observed that "this is the only play in the history of the theatre whose hero ends Act I with a rabbit in his mouth, and who moves on in Act II to an entire cow's head."

Bat Boy premiered at Tim Robbins' Actors' Gang Theatre on October 31, 1997 and has since been produced Off-Broadway, in London's West End, at the Edinburgh Festival and in scores of productions throughout the world. The musical was awarded best Off-Broadway musical by both the Lucille Lortel Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award in 2001. Regional productions of Bat Boy have been nominated for and won dozens of awards, including the Norton Awards (New England's equivalent of the Tony) and Ovation Awards (Los Angeles). It entered regional theatre in 2002 beginning with the Phoenix Theatre. The show has also proven quite popular in Korea and Japan.

Writing and Performing

The musical is both highly comical and deftly tragic. The book deals with very heavy themes (such as hypocrisy, acceptance, forgiveness, racism and scapegoating), but often punctures the most serious moments with slapstick, surreallism, or Simpsons-style irony.

The show contains unmistakable religious themes. Bat Boy himself could be considered a Christ-like figure, if Christ drank blood. The show is also chock-full of biblical allusions, such as the quoting of Psalm 23 and Genesis 9:4 in scene 9. Act II begins with a religious revival tent meeting featuring a faith healing preacher who performs "A Joyful Noise", a song featuring references to the Prodigal Son and the lion lying down with the lamb.

The score was also written to be playable by a five-piece band of guitar, two keyboards, bass and drums, but the original cast album (RCA Victor) contains seven extra instruments (cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, french horn, trumpet, trombone). The music covers many styles, from rock to rap to horror-movie film score and opera. The book was written to be performed by a cast of 10, with 6 men and 4 women playing every role. Because of this writing, traditional casting requires a very strong and versatile set of actors. Bat Boy is often performed with a cast of 15-20, although it has been known to have more than 30 actors in a production.

File:Cool Cast 146 wikipedia.jpg

In a Youth production, the animals in "Children, Children" are portrayed by puppets (Photo by Judy Potter).

A note from the three authors at the beginning of the published script asks that the show be played as straight and truthfully as possible, finding the humor in the characters' high-stakes needs and obsessions and the lengths they'll go to in pursuing their goals. They advise directors and actors against adding their own bits of humor or gags that can trivialize the violence or mar the truthfulness which the authors feel is necessary to get the fullest emotion and biggest laughs.

Nonetheless the show is often performed as a high-camp melodrama, with as many over-the-top gags as can fit. For example, a production in the Bay Area had the minor character "A doctor" turned into a Nazi. He was dressed in the full Nazi garb, complete with a swastika armband, delivered his two lines in a violent German accent, and exited goose-stepping with a Nazi salute. Tangential bits such as these are frequent in productions and have inspired heated debate as to which approach, canonical or campy, is the best way to present the story. Another more common bit is to portray the animals in the number "Children, Children" as puppets, so that the song's interspecies-sex-orgy dance break plays cute rather than disturbing. This interpretation is common in school and youth-group productions where the sexuality of the scene is considered too intense.

Controversy

The musical production contains depictions of violence, gore, incest, and rape, which has roused debate in certain high schools seeking to produce it. In 2005, the La Cañada High School in Burbank, California high school scheduled a performance of Bat Boy: The Musical for the school's spring musical, but several parents objected to the play's content, saying that it "was not age-appropriate". Many students within the school defended their right to perform the play. Christian organization Focus on the Family involved itself in the discussion with the school, trying unsuccessfully to persuade the community to cancel the production. In fact some Christian schools do perform the play despite the claims of being "not age-appropriate." Many other high schools have performed Bat Boy: The Musical across the nation. Most schools that perform the play only hint toward the sexual themes involving Shelley and Edgar (they remove the interspecies orgy and minimize the snuggling, depicting them fully clothed during "inside Your Heart", and ignore the stage direction depicting the rape of Meredith), possibly to avoid the idea of accidental incest between the two. Most if not all of the schools that perform Bat Boy keep the violence intact, though the gore is not exhibited as fully (and is commonly played-up as campy as possible).

Synopsis

Act I

Three teenagers -- Ron, Rick and Ruthie Taylor -- go spelunking deep into a forgotten cave just outside their hometown of Hope Falls West Virginia. In the cave they light up a bong and start smoking marijuana. Suddenly they notice a strange, humanoid creature in the cave with them. They cannot see him very well in the darkness, but identify him as the legendary feral "Bat Boy," who has haunted the local tales of Hope Falls for years. Excited by thoughts of having a new "pet", Ruthie offers him some Fritos (Doritos in the London version), but Bat Boy rejects the gift and bites Ruthie's neck instead. Immediately, Rick and Ron leap on Bat Boy, knock him unconscious and put him in a bag. The company then assembles onstage as a sort of Greek Chorus and begin to tell the legend of Bat Boy, telling the audience that Bat Boy is the same as you or me, and to watch and learn from his struggle ("Hold Me, Bat Boy").

As Ruthie is taken to the hospital, Rick and Ron hand the Bat Boy over to the local lawman, Sheriff Reynolds, who decides to take him across town to the house of town veterinarian Doctor Parker and have the animal "taken care of." En route Sheriff encounters several groups of townsfolk, who ask to see the creature, then scream when they see his face.

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The Weekly World News proclaims the discovery of the 2-foot tall chiropteran child in June, 1992

The song ends and the chorus exits. We are at the home of Doctor Parker, where his wife Meredith and daughter Shelley are cleaning and discussing boys; Rick Taylor is Shelley's boyfriend and Meredith warns Shelley that dating is a slippery slope and it's up to the girl to provide the friction. Sheriff Reynolds arrives with the Bat Boy (his head covered in a sack with the warning "BITES" written on it). Meredith informs him that the Doctor is not at home; he is out hunting. Sheriff Reynolds is up for re-election and wants to avoid needless cruelty and unpopular decisions, so he asks Meredith to take in the creature until Dr. Parker can come and decide what to do. Meredith agrees to keep Bat Boy in one of Dr. Parker's spare cages, and the Sheriff thanks them for their "Christian Charity" and leaves.

Later in the evening a thunderstorm is brewing. Bat Boy is now inside a large cage in the Parkers' living room. He is terrified and famished, yet refuses everything Meredith makes for him, screaming at a roast chicken till she removes it from his cage. Shelley, annoyed by his constant shrieking, changes her mind about keeping him and calls him an "Ugly Boy". Meredith christens him Edgar, then goes into the kitchen to prepare a stew for him. Rick Taylor arrives to see his girlfriend Shelley. They flirt and sing "Watcha Wanna Do?" but Rick flips out when he sees Edgar is still alive. Rick tries to ignore him and focus on making out with Shelley, but is enraged when the curious Edgar loudly imitates their moans. Rick climbs the cage with a knife and threatens to kill Edgar, but Meredith interrupts and throws him out of the house.

The storm hits and the power fails. The lights go out and Meredith sends the traumatized Shelley to bed. Now alone with Edgar, Meredith sings softly to him, telling him that she hopes her house can be "A Home for You". Edgar, drawn to Meredith's kindness, imitates her friendly noises and astonishes her by singing ther melody back to her. She offers him stew and he tries a taste, but gags and spits it out, then slinks away to cower in his cage.

In the Hope Falls Slaughterhouse, the Mayor Maggie has called a special meeting of the Town Council. She announces that the Reverend Billy Hightower will be bringing his Tent Revival Meeting and Barbecue to Hope Falls in the spring. Secondly, Mayor Maggie points out that the meat hooks are empty and demands an explanation from the ranchers - after all, this cattle ranching scheme was supposed to save the town from financial ruin after the coal mines closed. The ranchers admit their cows are too malnourished to be slaughtered, and several have died for no clear reason. The ranchers and townsfolk argue with each other, pointing fingers and singing their fears that "Another Dead Cow" may destroy the town. Suddenly Lorraine, a townswoman, suggests the cattle may be dying because of "the little bat boy they found in the bag". The town begins to see an ominous connection between the two events.

Back at the Parker house, Doctor Parker returns from hunting, carrying some dead geese slung over his shoulder. He has been drinking. Parker sees Edgar in the cage and is horrified. He pulls out a flask and has a quick drink, then analyzes Edgar. He then decides to put "one of us out of our misery" and is about to give him a lethal injection when Meredith interrupts. She begs him not to kill Edgar but Parker points out "you know what this is, don't you." It is clear this couple has unhappy secrets. Meredith apparently hasn't "been a wife to [him] in years". Meredith offers to sleep with her husband if he doesn't kill Edgar. Doctor Parker calls her bluff and asks that it be tonight. Meredith tries to distract him by pouring him a drink but Parker stops her and reminds her of their happier days by reciting their theme song, "Dance With Me, Darling". Meredith agrees to go through with it, takes his syringe and leaves the room, Parker, elated, removes Bat Boy from his cage, slices open the neck of one of the geese, and feeds Bat Boy the blood. As Edgar drinks, Parker (and possibly Bat Boy as well) hears voices in his head singing loud discordant music. Bat Boy screams with fear and possibly joy as the blood enters his system. Parker runs upstairs to the waiting Meredith's bedroom.

At the local hospital, a doctor assures Mrs. Taylor that Ruthie will be okay. Ruthie is still delirious and terrified, and screams "Bat Monster!" Her indignant mother and brothers sing to her ("Mrs. Taylor's Lullaby"), promising her that if the Sheriff wants to stay in office he will kill the Bat Boy.

The next day at the Parker house, Meredith tries to teach Edgar how to behave like a human being. It takes some persuasion to get him interested, but after being taught to say "Hello" and "Boy," Edgar tries hard to learn to be civilized. Over the course of several weeks, we see Edgar evolve from a gibbering, crouching creature to a confident, eloquent man-about-town with a high school equivalency diploma. Whenever Edgar's progress stalls, Doctor Parker secretly feeds him blood ("Show You a Thing or Two").

Mayor Maggie calls another special meeting of the Town Council, to discuss the upcoming revival meeting. Doctor Parker is called on the carpet, and the Sheriff, urged on by his constituents, tells Parker to take Edgar out of town. Doctor Parker tries to convince the townsfolk that Edgar is not a danger, but they threaten to kill the Bat Boy if he is not taken away. Doctor Parker has no choice. He gives his word of honor that, despite how hard it will be on Meredith, Edgar will not attend. The townsfolk shake hands with Doctor Parker ("Christian Charity (Reprise)").

At the Parker house, Shelley is teaching Edgar to dance while Doctor Parker convinces Meredith that the pact he made is for the best. They all sit for tea, served by a now very proper Edgar (who, thanks to some BBC Language Tapes, speaks with a upper-class English accent). As they talk, Edgar mentions he's heard about the upcoming Revival and asks to attend. Doctor Parker tries instead to persuade him to go camping with the family this weekend. Edgar argues that he wants to see the world and join society. Shelley lets slip that people are saying cruel things behind Edgar's back. Edgar sings that he doesn't want to harm them; he only wants to learn from them ("A Home for You (Reprise)").

But Parker and Meredith are firm. Shelley is furious and leaves the room. Edgar argues that attending the Revival is crucial to his own development and happiness. He cites a medical program on cable TV which gave him an epiphany, confirmed by his own mirror - Edgar has a navel. This means a doctor tied it, which means Edgar is most likely human. At this, Doctor Parker tells Edgar that he will not attend the Revival, and that's final. Edgar breaks down and falls to the floor howling with grief. Meredith changes her mind and tries to convince Doctor Parker that the boy's attendance at the Revival will be all right.

Doctor Parker is astonished at his wife's betrayal and refuses. Meredith tells Edgar that she and Shelley will accompany Edgar to the Revival, ignoring Doctor Parker. Furious, Parker grabs Meredith's arm. Reacting instinctively, Edgar attacks Parker, knocks him to the floor and bares his fangs to rip out Parker's throat. Meredith stops him, then comforts Edgar - instead of Parker. Parker realizes Bat Boy has usurped his place in Meredith's heart ("Parker's Epiphany"): Meredith never really came back to his arms, and she never will. Parker's mind snaps, but he smiles and agrees to let Edgar attend the revival. He tells Meredith to tell Shelley the good news while he gives Edgar his "medication."

Meredith goes upstairs, leaving Doctor Parker alone with Edgar. Edgar is hungry, but hates himself for his bloodthirst, citing Genesis 9:4, which clearly states God's command that "Blood shall ye not eat". Doctor Parker asks Edgar if he thinks he can change. Edgar says he thinks he can. Doctor Parker pulls a live rabbit out of his doctor's bag and places it in front of Edgar, to test his resolution. Edgar, famished but terrified for his own soul, begins to recite Psalm 23. As he does so, Doctor Parker argues with the voices in his head and devises a plan to destroy Edgar and win Meredith back ("Comfort and Joy"). All the other residents of Hope Falls, including Meredith, Shelley, Maggie and the ranchers, sing of their plans for the revival the next day. Edgar sings a prayer to God, asking Him to remove his bloody nature (or at least his fangs). The song rises to a climax as each characters hopes rise. Bat Boy masters his hunger and hugs the rabbit, but Doctor Parker takes it from him and stabs it. Edgar, horrified but unable to control his hunger, picks up the rabbit and begins to drink its blood.

In Ruthie Taylor's hospital room, Doctor Parker appears and administers a lethal injection, commenting that "the Bat Boy will pay for what he's done to you." She convulses and dies. End of Act One.

Act II

Template:Spoilers At the Revival Meeting, Reverend Billy Hightower is working hard to raise the spirits of the townspeople ("A Joyful Noise"). He offers faith healing and asks for a volunteer with sins on his soul. Meredith, Shelley and Edgar arrive. The townsfolk start to panic, but the Reverend calls Edgar to the stage. Edgar asks for healing. The Reverend lays his hands on him, but it doesn't work. Hightower chastises the congregation, asking "is there someone here who doesn't want healing for this boy?" In the silence, Edgar steps forward and sings to the citizens, asking them to "Let Me Walk Among You" and promising he can be a civilized member of the community. The townspeople change their minds and embrace him ("A Joyful Noise (Reprise)").

The town celebrate their new citizen and shake his hand, but then Doctor Parker arrives, feigning grief over the death of Ruthie Taylor. He says Ruthie Taylor has died in the night from a bizarre infection caused by Edgar's bite. He claims Edgar is deadly to both humans and cattle. Parker also says he has called the Institute in Wheeling and they are coming to take Edgar away. The town begins to turn against the shocked and guilt-ridden Edgar. Rick Taylor runs in with his brother and mother. Rick aims the gun at Edgar ("Whatcha Wanna Do (Reprise)"), but Shelley steps in front of the gun. Rick shoves her aside violently and Edgar attacks Rick, biting his neck. Chaos ensues and Edgar runs away. Doctor Parker examines Rick. He pretends to administer an antidote but instead gives him a lethal injection. Rick convulses exactly like Ruthie and dies. Doctor Parker declares that the wound was too deep. The townspeople, led by the Sheriff, disperse to collect their guns and their dogs and then search the forest for the creature ("Stop the Bat Boy!").

Meredith and Shelley hunt for Edgar in the woods, resolving once they have found him they will leave town, change their names, and live far away from anyone - including Doctor Parker ("Three Bedroom House"). Shelley tells Meredith she is in love with Edgar. Meredith is horrified, telling Shelley that the thought is "hideous." Shelley, shocked at her mother's vehemence, shouts "you're just like the rest of them!" She pushes her mother down and runs deeper into the woods, while Meredith yells out for her not to go.

In a clearing in the woods Shelley finds Edgar. They comfort each other, then look into each others' eyes and realize they're in love. The Greek goat-god of nature, Pan, arrives to preside over the union of Edgar and Shelley ("Children, Children"), accompanied by a chorus of animals of all shapes, sizes and species. The celebration culminates in a huge interspecies orgy.

Ron Taylor, the only Taylor child still alive, hunts for Edgar, screaming for revenge. He heads for the slaughterhouse, concluding the Bat Boy would most likely satisfy his blood-lust there. Ron breaks into the slaughterhouse, making a ruckus. Townsperson Daisy, carrying a torch, hears the noise and tells the Sheriff over a walkie-talkie that she may have the Bat Boy cornered in the slaughterhouse. Mrs. Taylor overhears this comment and tries to kill Bat Boy by setting fire to the building with the torch. The slaughterhouse burns and the townsfolk arrive to watch the blaze. Ron bursts out of the structure, his whole body afire. The Sheriff tackles him, trying to douse the flaming "Bat Boy". Mrs. Taylor shouts in glee at the burning "creature", but the dying Ron sees her and says "Mom?" before he expires. Doctor Parker then arrives to give Ron a lethal injection but Ron is already dead. The townsfolk by now are turning into an irriational mob. Doctor Parker riles them further by telling them the Bat Boy is on a rampage ("More Blood"). The mob follows the doctor as he leads the hunt ("Kill the Bat Boy").

In the clearing in the woods, Shelley and Edgar are curled together in a sleepy embrace. Edgar realizes he is hungry and tries to leave protect Shelley, but she reveals she knows he eats blood and she declares she's not afraid. Shelley offers her blood to slake Edgar's thirst and Edgar reluctantly agrees ("Inside Your Heart"). Just as Edgar is about to bite her, Meredith finds the pair and stops them by revealing her darkest secret: she is Edgar's mother (making Shelley his sister). Overcome with grief and shame, Edgar runs off. Shelley, also horrified, backs away from Meredith and screams. Mixed with her scream is the sound of a cow being decapitated.

Outside the cave where he was found, Bat Boy enters carrying the severed head of a cow. Hungry, ashamed, and filled with hatred toward himself and the world, he pours out his heart to the severed head ("Apology to a Cow"). He laments his lost innocence and rails against a world that would rip him from his contented life in the cave. He realizes his parents knowingly locked their own child inside a cage. But the one unforgivable act was telling him he was human and deserving of love, then telling him the truth and denying him love with Shelley. Broken and robbed of his last shred of humanity, he nonetheless rises in defiance, climbs a tree, and swinging upside down he embraces his inner beast. He declares he will murder his mother and father and concludes with a triumphant cry.

Ranchers Ned and Roy hear him and point their shotguns at him. Parker enters. Bat Boy taunts him by calling him "Father", but Parker says "I'm not your father, Edgar." The Sheriff and other townsfolk enter and are about to kill Bat Boy but then Meredith arrives with Shelley. Meredith begs the townsfolk not to kill her son. She convinces Doctor Parker to tell them the true story of the bat child ("Revelations"):

Years ago, Doctor Parker a young ambitious veterinarian just starting out and Meredith was his assistant and fianceé. One day, as Parker was working on a liquid pheromone which would increase the cattle population by arousing male cattle, he accidentally spilled it onto Meredith. Parker's liquid was made from the pheremones of dozens of animals, including humans. The pheromones worked all too well - they drove Parker mad with animal lust, and without knowing what he was doing he raped her. Meredith, traumatized, tried to stumble home, but the pheromone attracted a swarm of bats, which violated her as well. Meredith's parents, trying to defend Meredith, were killed by them. Doctor Parker found Meredith barely alive and cared for her, hoping she could forgive him for what her did. Later, Meredith discovered she was pregnant with Doctor Parker's child, and they were married and moved to Hope Falls. Nine months later, Shelley was born, but to everyone's horror there was a second child -- Edgar, Meredith's hideous bat-eared son by the bats. Meredith saw the baby and screamed "Kill it! Kill it!" Parker agreed, and carried the child into the woods with a shovel. But he found he couldn't kill the baby, so instead left the infant at the mouth of a cave, expecting that exposure or predators would finish the job. Instead the bats discovered their offspring and dragged it gently down into the cave and raised it as their own.

The story shames the townspeople, but they still demand revenge. They blame Edgar for the cow plague, but Meredith responds angrily, "There is no plague! You've been raising cows on the side of a mountain!" Meredith tries to comfort Edgar, but he has already decided he wants to die ("Finale: I Imagine You're Upset"). Edgar takes the hunting knife from Doctor Parker's belt and hands it to Doctor Parker, begging him for the peaceful release of death. But Doctor Parker cannot do it. Bat Boy then plays his last card - he announces to Parker and the townsfolk that not only has he slept with Shelley, but worse, Shelley then offered him her own blood to drink. Infuriated, Parker grabs Bat Boy and holds the knife to his neck, but Meredith touches his arm and he freezes. Parker apologizes for everything he's done and Meredith asks him if they can start again together. But Parker, realizing he is damned, lifts his knife and slits his own throat open. Edgar, unable to fight the sight and smell of blood, leaps upon Parker and bites his neck, drinking deeply. Doctor Parker stabs Edgar in the back, and as he raises his knife to stab again, Meredith runs forward and tries to pull Edgar off, and she too is stabbed in the back. They stand there for a second, in a perverse family embrace, then let go and fall to the ground, dying. Shelley holds Bat Boy in her lap and cries "oh, my Edgar, my poor sweet boy", but Bat Boy replies "I am not a boy. I am an animal", and dies ("Finale:I Am Not a Boy").

As the townsfolk stand stunned, the Institute Man arrives with a net, but sees he's too late. He asks "What happened here?" Shelley stands up and tells the story of the Bat Boy ("Hold Me, Bat Boy (Reprise)"). The cast, living and dead, turn and address the audience, delivering the final messages of the show, messages about forgiveness, tolerance, and also advising that "a mountain's no place to raise cows" and "don't kill Mrs. Taylor's kids". The song concludes as Bat Boy rises to his feet (in some productions he flies on bungees or rising platforms up into the flies) and the show ends as the company tells the audience "don't deny your beast inside".

Characters

• Bat Boy - Also referred to as "Edgar." A bat boy.
• Meredith Parker - Wife to Thomas.
• Thomas Parker - Also referred to as "Doctor Parker." The town veterinarian. Husband to Meredith.
• Shelley Parker - The rebellious daughter of Thomas and Meredith. Girlfriend of Rick.

• Sheriff Reynolds - The local sheriff, coming up for re-election. Sometimes doubles as Delia.

• Rick Taylor - A rowdy, spelunking teenager. Kin to Ron and Ruthie, son of Mrs. Taylor. Boyfriend of Shelley. Commonly doubles as Lorraine and Mr. Dillon.
• Ron Taylor - A rowdy, spelunking teenager. brother of Rick, and Ruthie, son of Mrs. Taylor. Commonly doubles as Maggie.
• Ruthie Taylor - A rowdy, spelunking teenager. Youngest of 3. Kin to Rick and Ron, daughter of Mrs. Taylor. Commonly doubles as Ned.
• Mrs. Taylor - An overprotective, aggressive mother. Mother of Rick, Ron, and Ruthie. Usually a drag role. Commonly doubles as Reverend Hightower and Roy.

• Lorraine - A townswoman. Commonly doubles as Rick (a male drag role when performed this way) and Mr. Dillon.
• Delia - A townswoman. Sometimes doubles as Sheriff.
• Maggie - The mayor of Hope Falls. Commonly doubles with Ron.
• Daisy - A townswoman. Commonly doubles as Bud and Daisy.
• Mr. Dillon - a rancher. Sometimes doubles as Lorraine and/or Rick.
• Bud - A rancher. Commonly doubles as Pan and Daisy.
• Ned - A rancher, often played by a woman in drag. Commonly doubles as Ruthie.
• Roy - A townsman. Often doubles as Mrs. Taylor/Rev. Hightower.
• Clem - A townsman

• Reverend Billy Hightower - A preacher and faith healer who holds a travelling Tent Revival/Barbecue. Commonly doubles as Mrs. Taylor and Roy.

• Pan - The Greek goat-god of nature. Commonly doubles as Bud and Daisy.
• Various Woodland Animals
• Bats
• Young Meredith - Meredith in a flashback sequence. Commonly played by Meredith herself.
• Meredith's Father - In a flashback
• Meredith's Mother - In a flashback

• A Doctor - commonly doubles with Bud/Daisy/Pan.
• Institute Man - commonly doubles with Mrs. Taylor/Roy/Hightower.

• Chorus - singer/dancers, additional townsfolk

Songs

(As they appear in the Piano/Conductor Score)

• 1. Overture
• 1a. The Cave
• 2. Hold Me, Bat Boy *
• 2a. Living Room Cue
• 3. Christian Charity *
• 4. Ugly Boy *
• 5. Watcha Wanna Do? *
• 6. A Home for You *
• 7. Another Dead Cow *
• 8. Dance With Me, Darling *
• 9. Mrs. Taylor's Lullaby *
• 10. Show You a Thing or Two *
• 11. Christian Charity (reprise) *
• 12. May I Have This Dance?
• 13. A Home for You (reprise) *
• 14. Parker's Epiphany
• 15. Comfort and Joy *
• 15a. Comfort and Joy (part II) *

• 16. A Joyful Noise *
• 16a. Come on Down!
• 17. Let Me Walk Among You *
• 18. A Joyful Noise (reprise) *
• 18a. A Joyful Noise (playoff)
• 19. All Hell Breaks Loose
• 20. Stop the Bat Boy!
• 21. Three Bedroom House *
• 21a. Babe in the Woods
• 22. Children, Children *
• 22a. Burn, You Freak, Burn
• 23. More Blood/Kill the Bat Boy!
• 24. Inside Your Heart *
• 25. Is All That You Taught Me a Lie?
• 26. Apology to a Cow *
• 26a. Hello, Father
• 27. Revelations
• 28. Finale: I Imagine You're Upset *
• 28a. Finale: I Am Not a Boy *
• 29. Finale: Hold Me, Bat Boy *
• 30. Bows
• 1opt. Optional Overture

* Appear on the Original Cast Recording.

Please note that "More Blood/Kill the Bat Boy!" is included on the Original London Cast Recording. Also note that, on the London Recording, "Inside Your Heart" is replaced with the song "Mine, All Mine", and "Ugly Boy"/"Whatcha Wanna Do?" are replaced by a song called "Hey Freak". Additionally, this recording begins with the end portion of dialogue before (and segues into) "Hold Me, Bat Boy". It is underscored by a portion of the song "The Cave". The track is titled "Dude! What is It?".[1]

Major differences in the London production

• The small scenes interspersed in the opening number "Hold Me, Bat Boy" are removed so the song plays right through without interruption (though the scenes are included in the London cast recording to give some context)
• Both of the songs "Ugly Boy" and "Watcha Wanna Do?" were replaced in the London production by the song "Hey Freak".
• In the London production, the song "Mine, All Mine" replaces "Inside Your Heart". In this song, Shelley awakes to see that Edgar is trying to leave her without explaining why. Shelley demands that Edgar stay, or at least explain his change of heart. Eventually Edgar reveals his hunger for blood.

External links

• Bat Boy: The Musical official site
• Music Theatre Warwick's 2007 Production
• 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival production
• Centre Stage London's Summer 2007 Production of Bat Boy