Bat Boy The Musical in San Pedro at Warner Grand Theatre Opening October 9, 2008
In 1997 Bat Boy had its World Premiere in Los Angeles. Since then it has gone on to win multiple awards Off Broadway and in London's West End. Now, the 2004 revival from London, featuring new songs, and script changes, makes its way back to L.A.
The Relevant Stage opens its doors for the 2nd musical in its 1st season with the U.S. Stage Company Premiere of the London/Toronto 2004 Revision of Bat Boy The Musical. Originally produced 'Off Broadway', this side-splitting spoof is based on a 1992 story in the tabloid Weekly World News about a half-bat/half-
Presented at Warner Grand Theatre, a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Licensed under special agreement with Weekly World News, Dramatists Play Service and directly with the authors.
With music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and story by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, "Bat Boy The Musical" has been produced in London's West End, the Edinburgh Festival and around the globe. Its regional productions have won dozens of awards. Named an "instant classic" by the New York Post and, and a "giggling cult hit" by The New Yorker", the show promises an evening of genuine entertainment.
Burbank actor, Jeff Leatherwood portrays Bat Boy. Jeff was most recently seen as Matthew in the award winning musical comedy, Altar Boyz. Previous to that he was rockin’ arenas across the U.S. as the lead male singer in The Kidz Bop World Tour. Erstwhile credits include: Baby (Danny), South Pacific (Lt. Cable), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon), West Side Story (Tony), Cabaret (Cliff), and The Diviners (Dewey Maples, at the Kennedy Center).
Joining Jeff is a talented cast of 9 directed by Lucas Pakes, with choreography by Dylan Balderrama and musical direction by Chip Colvin. The producing director of The Relevant Stage is Ray Buffer.
Pacific Wildlife Project will be in the theatre lobby offering "Bat Adoptions" for $20. Audience members can choose to support veterinary care for injured and at risk bats, and also receive in their adoption package a bat photo, adoption certificate, species information and a toy replica bat.
The Relevant Stage will also be giving every audience member a pair of glow-in-the-
Based at the magnificent Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, The Relevant Stage production will run on Thursdays October 9 and 16, Fridays October 10 and 17 and Saturday October 11 and 18 at 8PM; and Sundays October 12 and 19 at 2:30pm. A private showing for Junior and High School students is planned for Friday, October 10 at 1:00pm.
For Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances, a "Blood Red" wine tasting is offered 1/2 hour prior to curtain at Off The Vine, on 6th Street, directly across from the theatre. A pre-purchased wine/theatre package is available for only $25 and may be purchased online at therevelentstage.com, or through Off The Vine at 310-831-1551.
Although it contains a tad bit of blood, violence, incest and interspecies sex, Bat Boy The Musical has won several awards and rave reviews and is regarded as one of the funniest and most imaginative musicals in years. John Lahr of The New Yorker observes "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."
Regular tickets for "Bat Boy: The Musical" are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors age 55 plus and current college students, and $5 for 18 and under. They are available online at therelevantstage.com or at local San Pedro businesses: William's Book Store, Sacred Grounds, The Corner Store and Findings Art Center.
Parental guidance is suggested.
The Relevant Stage was founded in 2007 by Ray Buffer. TRS has been staging musical and play productions sat Warner Grand Theatre since January, 2008. TRS is a non-profit performing arts group and tells stories that challenge hearts, engage minds and expose truths.
For additional information, contact: 310-929-8129.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
