Bat Boy: The Musical at the Morgan Wixon Theater Sept. 28th- Oct. 13th, 2024- Preview, Tickets

Santa Monica’s Morgan–Wixson Theatre
2627 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405
www.morgan-wixson.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Meghan Ripchik
[email protected]

The Morgan-Wixson Theatre’s BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is a must-see event this spooky
season, shocking audiences with its strange twist on this comedy-horror tale.

BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL

Santa Monica, CA – August 28, 2024. The Morgan-Wixson Theatre brings BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL to Santa Monica this
Halloween season, a seldom performed production in Los Angeles. This production of BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is a
must-see, balancing both comedy and horror, depicted through exuberant dance, a lively ensemble, and a kick-ass vocal
score, written by the same composer of hit musicals Legally Blonde and Heathers. Story and book by Keythe Farley and
Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe, licensed under agreement with Weekly World News.
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is a comedy-horror morality tale about a half boy/half bat creature discovered in a cave
near Hope Falls, West Virginia. Based off of the character in the infamous 1992 cover story in The Weekly World News,
Bat Boy naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, but is met with disapproval, prodded by the
machinations of Dr. Parker, the town veterinarian, and their own ignorance and intolerance. Chaos erupts, as Dr. Parker’s
web of lies becomes exposed, but not without death and destruction within the town’s facade. BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is
the love child of the bloodiest murder-mystery horror story and the most absurd camp-comedy.
Director/Choreographer Meghan Ripchik brings BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL to life with a unique new take on this
cult-classic tale, taking cult to a literal sense and highlighting the hypocrisy that comes with worshiping idols.

“BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is often produced for its phenomenal humor, but I had to ask myself why I wanted to tell this story now,
and with the election coming up, I knew the story I wanted to focus on was one of hypocrisy and how easily narratives
can get twisted by those in power, leading to more prejudice. Our version of this production doesn’t take away from the
comedy, but builds on it, using the campiness of the characters, intensive dance, and some surprising theatrical elements
to emphasize these themes.” In recent years, the Morgan-Wixson has produced multiple widely-recognized musicals,
such as Footloose this past summer, and In the Heights the summer prior, both smash hits at the theatre. BAT BOY: THE
MUSICAL steps out of the norm, an unfamiliar story to many, but one with a following similar to those of musicals such
as Rocky Horror Picture Show, due to its comparable style and niche genre. “BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL has not been
produced in the Los Angeles area in almost 10 years,” says Director Meghan Ripchik. “I’m truly so thrilled to be part of
bringing this story back to the LA area because unlike so many musicals, most folks don’t know what they’re coming to
see with this one, and I can guarantee they will leave the theatre stunned. BAT BOY brings a fresh new excitement to The
Morgan-Wixson’s season, and I feel so lucky to have the most incredible cast and creative team to support this vision. I
think this show will not only engage our current musical theatre lovers, but bring in new audiences, expanding the
community Morgan-Wixson has been building on these past few years.” In an effort to engage and grow the
Morgan-Wixson community, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL has curated events surrounding select performances. September
28th will continue The Morgan-Wixson’s tradition of the post-show opening night party for all patrons. They will also be
continuing the tradition of their two post-show talkbacks, after the October 4th and October 10th performances. On
Sunday, October 6th BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL will be hosting a free to the public post-matinee karaoke event with the theme “Musical Theatre Villains” and on Friday, October 11th, BAT BOY will have a late-night 10pm show with a costume
contest prior, reminiscent of a late-night Rocky Horror showing. For more information, patrons can visit
www.morgan-wixson.org/mainstage/bat-boy.
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is Directed and Choreographed by Meghan Ripchik; Erica Kahn is Producer; Eden Evans
is Vocal Director; Paloma Cortes is Assistant Director and Props Designer; Ashley Marie Macalino is Production Stage
Manager, assisted by Assistant Stage Managers Kyle Lukas and Emily McFerson and Production Assistant Andrea Cortéz;
Rachel Diaz is Intimacy Choreographer; Julie Ouellette is Fight Choreographer; Costume Designer is Nia Heinrich;
Lighting Designer is Russell Chow; Scenic Designer is Martin del Orbe; Hair & Makeup Designer is Lex Verdayes; Sound
Designer is Ethan Strubbe. Morgan-Wixson Theatre Technical Director is William Wilday.
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe,
licensed under agreement with Weekly World News will be presented at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, opening
September 28 and running through October 13, 2024. The play features (in alphabetical order) Ashton Bianchi as Rick
Taylor and Bat Boy (u/s), Diana Cabell as Ruthie Taylor and Featured Dancer (u/s), Cassandra Caruso as Shelley, Jack
Colyer as Ron Taylor and Featured Dancer, Aaron Ellis as Bat Boy (Edgar), Nico Fisher as Lorraine, Featured Dancer, and
Ron (u/s), Connor Tyler Gray as Dr. Parker, Lauren Josephs as Meredith, Kalani Lopez as Daisy and Mrs. Taylor (u/s),
Lorne as Sheriff and Pan, Tommi Jo Mongold as Mrs. Taylor and Rick (u/s), Johnathan O’Neal as Reverend, Featured
Dancer, and Dr. Parker (u/s), Carter Santos as Clem, Norman Thatch as Roy, Abigail Torrence as Dillon and Ruthie Taylor
(u/s), Roni Renee Williams as Mayor Maggie and Meredith (u/s), Javon Willis as Bud, Sheriff (u/s), Reverend (u/s), and
Pan (u/s), and Rachel Yoffe as Ned, Featured Dancer, and Shelley (u/s).
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe,
licensed under agreement with Weekly World News. Presented by Santa Monica’s Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico
Blvd., September 28 through October 13, 2024 Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m (added
performance Saturday, October 5th at 2 p.m. and special performance Friday, October 11th at 10 p.m.) Adults $30,
Seniors $26, and Students $23. Group rates are available — call the box office for details. Visit www.morgan-wixson.org
or call (310) 828-7519. Easy, free parking is available a block west of the theater, with many excellent restaurants within
walking distance.

NEWS ALERT • JUST THE FACTS
BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford

Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman

WHO:
Director/Choreographer – Meghan Ripchik
Vocal Director – Eden Evans
Production Stage Manager – Ashley Marie Macalino
Assistant Director – Paloma Cortes
Producer – Erica Kahn
Assistant Stage Manager – Kyle Lukas
Assistant Stage Manager – Emily McFerson
Production Assistant – Andrea Cortéz
Costume Designer – Nia Heinrich
Lighting Designer – Russell Chow
Scenic Designer – Martin del Orbe
Sound Designer – Ethan Strubbe
Hair & Makeup Designer – Lex Verdayes
Intimacy Choreographer – Rachel Diaz
Fight Choreographer – Julie Ouellette
Morgan-Wixson Theatre Technical Director – William Wilday
Cast (alphabetical order):
● Ashton Bianchi
● Diana Cabell
● Cassandra Caruso
● Jack Colyer
● Aaron Ellis
● Nico Fisher
● Connor Tyler Gray
● Lauren Josephs
● Kalani Lopez

● Lorne
● Tommi Jo Mongold
● Johnathon O’Neal
● Carter Santos
● Norman Thatch
● Abigail Torrence
● Roni Renee Williams
● Javon Willis
● Rachel Yoffe

WHAT: BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence
O’Keefe
WHERE: The Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica 90405
WHEN: September 28 – October 13, 2024. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM, Additional 2PM on
Saturday October 5th, Special late night show on Friday, October 11th at 10PM
HOW: Reserved seats available at www.morgan-wixson.org, by phone at 310-828-7519 or by email at
[email protected]. Adults $32, Seniors and Military $28, Students $25 – plus applicable ticketing fees.
Not recommended for children. Contains adult themes and language.

ABOUT THE MORGAN-WIXSON THEATRE
For more than 75 years the Morgan-Wixson Theatre has been a leader and innovator in community theatre. Long a
home for passionate theatre practitioners and a center of live theatre in Santa Monica, students, incredibly talented
local artists and future stars alike have graced its Mainstage — from James Dean and Harvey Korman in the 1940s
and 50s, Rod McKuen composing an early score or Joyce DeWitt being “discovered” in the 70s to current Broadway
star to Beanie Feldstein shining in our Youth Theatre program. The 200 seat non-equity Morgan-Wixson Theatre
also welcomes concert programs, guest productions, rehearsals for up-and-coming productions and more. In
addition to scheduled seasons of sophisticated, fully-mounted productions, the growth of the theatre includes
expanding to offer New Works Festivals and unique “specials” that invite collaboration with an increasingly diverse
audience and artistic community. The American Alliance for Theatre-lauded Y.E.S (Youth Education/Entertainment
Series) program trains new generations of theatre artists, who are welcomed regardless of their financial means.
The Morgan-Wixson’s commitment to community is reflected in its many Community Partnerships and ticket access
initiatives. For more details, please visit our website at www.morgan-wixson.org, join us on social media and
subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Contact Information
Box office 310.828.7519

[email protected]
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The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is committed to a meaningful effort to amplify new voices to engage, challenge and
connect our audiences to each other and the wider community as we elevate the greater potential of what theater can offer to our lives.