The newspaper headline was inspiring:
"Bat Boy Is Captured!!" or maybe it said "Bat Child Found in Cave!"
Whatever. Some version of the headline was in a 1992 issue of the tabloid Weekly World News (no longer published, but you can still read it online at weeklyworldnews.com. Go ahead - Google it. We won't tell anyone).
With such a shocking tale, is it any wonder that Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming and Laurence O'Keefe were inspired to write a musical about the half-bat, half-boy found living deep in a West Virginia cave?
It first hit the stage lights in 1997, and productions have been popping up at theaters around the world since then.
Now it's Arizona Repertory Theatre Company's turn, which begins previews Sunday.
You don't want to miss this one. Here's why:
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1. He has pointy ears, sharp teeth and, we suspect, can see in the dark. And, oh yes, he drinks blood.
2. The music is eclectic, ranging from rock to classical. And the songs - how can you not love a play that has lyrics like this: "Hold me, Bat Boy. Touch me, Bat Boy. Help me through the night. Love me, Bat Boy. Save me, Bat Boy. Make it all turn out all right."
3. It's easy to love despite its rather convoluted plot: Bat Boy is discovered, the local veterinarian and his family take him in; the vet's daughter and Bat Boy fall in love; the vet (who's naturally jealous of Bat Boy) doesn't believe in interspecies love, and everyone turns against Bat Boy because he's, well, different.
4. There's a revival meeting included in the story. The play is packed with murder, lies, deceit, rape - and then there's the revival meeting. Makes sense to us.
5. It spoofs Broadway musicals with an affectionate irreverence.
6. Come on, it'll be fun. Get a load of this New Yorker magazine review of a production: "...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."
And this from the New York Times: "It's remarkable what intelligent wit can accomplish ...."
7. And the lyrics again, this one from the song "Apology to a Cow," sung by a hungry Bat Boy:
"I'm sorry, friend, I have to./ I know, I know, it's rude/ I shouldn't work my problems out with food./ I'm sorry pal, I've got to./ It's either me or you. Fight or be beaten! /Eat or be eaten!/ Look what it makes me do./ It's stronger than it was and this is what the bat child does."
Now how could you not want to see that?
If you go
• What: Arizona Repertory Theatre's production of "Bat Boy: The Musical."
• By: Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming and Laurence O'Keefe.
• Director: Rob Gretta.
• When: Previews are 1:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday. Regular performances: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (opening) and next Thursday. Continues through April 29.
• Where: Tornabene Theatre on the UA Fine Arts Complex near North Park Avenue and East Speedway.
• Tickets: Previews, $20; regular performances, $31. Discounts available.
• Reservations, information: 621-1162 or arizona.tix.com
• Running time: About 2 hours, with one intermission.