FORUM THEATRE
7-9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17
Bill Mitas, instructor of theatre arts at Penn State New Kensington, is putting out a call to the campus and community to attend open auditions for the fall production of "Bat Boy: The Musical" from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the campus' Forum Theatre.
The award-winning play features 10 characters and is set in West Virginia. Aspiring thespians are asked to prepare a song with sheet music or a musical recording. Reading from a script and learning a simple group dance step is also a part of the audition.
The comedy/horror musical is based on a 1992 story in the tabloid Weekly World News about a human-like creature, half-boy, half-vampire bat, found living in a cave. The book was written by Kaythe Farley and Brian Flemming with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe, who is best known for writing the score of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” A cult classic, "Bat Boy" opened off-Broadway in 2001 and moved to London’s West End and the Edinburgh Festival before entering regional theatre in 2002.
The campus production will run for three days, Nov. 7, 8 and 9. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. each night.
Mitas’ “Bat Boy” production returns to the Forum Theatre after a short run last April. A fall backstage by the lead actor between scenes on opening night necessitated shutting down the play. Not wanting to jeopardize the student’s health and safely, Mitas canceled the final two performances with the plan of reprising the production this semester. The actor recovered fully.
For more information, contact Mitas at wrm14@psu.edu
LIST OF 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 and husband to Meredith.
Shelley Parker - rebellious daughter of Thomas and Meredith.
Girl friend of Rick; falls in love with Edgar.
Sheriff Reynolds - local sheriff, coming up for re-election. Sometimes doubles as Delia.
Rick Taylor - rowdy, spelunking teenager who is the brother of Ron and Ruthie, son of Mrs. Taylor,
and boyfriend of Shelley. Commonly doubles as Lorraine and Mr. Dillon.
Ron Taylor - rowdy, spelunking teenager, brother of Rick, and Ruthie and son of Mrs. Taylor.
Usually a drag role. Commonly doubles as Maggie.
Ruthie Taylor - rowdy, spelunking teenager who is younger sister of Rick and Ron and daughter of Mrs. Taylor.
Commonly doubles as Ned.
Mrs. Taylor - overprotective, aggressive mother of Rick, Ron, and Ruthie.
Usually a drag role. Commonly doubles as Roy.
Mr. Dillon - A rancher. Sometimes doubles as Lorraine.
Bud - A rancher. Commonly doubles as Pan and Daisy.
Also:
Lorraine - townswoman. Usually a drag role. Commonly doubles as Rick and Mr. Dillon.
Delia - townswoman. Usually a drag role. Sometimes doubles as Sheriff.
Maggie - mayor of Hope Falls. Commonly doubles as Ron.
Daisy - townswoman. Usually a drag role. Commonly doubles as Bud and Pan.
Ned - rancher. Usually a drag role. Commonly doubles as Ruthie.
Roy - townsman. Often doubles as Mrs. Taylor.
Clem - townsman. Usually a drag role. Often doubles as Ron and Maggie.