Bat Boy: The Musical

Bat Boy: The Musical is running at the Crown Center Music Theater Heritage through the end of October and into early November. It's a darkly comic tale that blends horror, humor and heart, based on a 1992 Weekly World News story. The off-Broadway smash follows a half-boy, half-bat creature discovered in a cave and his exploration of love, acceptance and identity. With a rock-infused score and a campy, macabre vibe, it's billed as a perfect Halloween treat.

If you're looking for something to do over the next few weeks, there are plenty of dates to choose from. The show runs October 9-11, 15-18, 22-25, and 29-31, then closes on November 1. Most nights have a 7:30 PM curtain, and there are 2:00 PM matinees in the mix, so you can catch it on a weekend afternoon or a weekday evening. The run stretches across nearly the entire month of October, which fits the spooky season theme it's leaning into.

As for the story, it starts with a creature found in a cave—half-boy, half-bat—and follows him as he tries to find his place in the world. It's a rock musical, so the score carries a good deal of the energy, and the whole thing is played for laughs as much as for the heart. The campy, macabre tone is what puts it in that Halloween territory, making it a natural fit for this time of year. If you've got a thing for the weird and the slightly off-kilter, this is right up that alley.

Between the late-night runs and the matinees, there are enough performances to fit around your schedule. The show runs through October 9-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29-31, and November 1, with 7:30 PM and 2:00 PM showtimes.