Bat Boy: The Musical

Bat Boy: The Musical opens at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Friday, October 16, and runs through October 25. It's an off-Broadway hit that blends comedy and horror into a parable about prejudice, community, love, and blood-sucking bats. The story starts with a ridiculous tabloid headline: a half-boy, half-bat creature is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. The local sheriff brings him to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where the family takes him in. Dr. Parker's wife, Meredith, and their teenage daughter, Shelley, set about teaching him how to act like a 'normal' boy.

Simon DuPriest takes the lead as Bat Boy, also credited as Edgar. Jillian Koehn plays Shelley Parker, and Melissa Doell is Meredith Parker. Luis Graham is Dr. Thomas Parker, with Ethan Rule as Sheriff Reynolds. The rest of the town fills out the cast: Quentin Parkes as Rick Taylor, Finn Brown as Ron Taylor, Mia Young as Ruthie Taylor, Donovan Dykes as Mrs. Taylor, Kelsey Lopez as Rev. Hightower and Pan, Rei Capote as Mayor Maggie, Kristin Nelson as Daisy, Justine Cace as Lorraine, Tyler Brankey as Bud, Gabriela Abarca as Ned, and Charlie Abarca as Roy. Camila Palacios, Ansley Waddell, and Karem Silvera are in the ensemble.

Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming wrote the book, with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe. Danny Dunderman directs. The production is staged by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals and is part of the Carrollwood Cultural Center's 2026-27 Theatre Season, which runs alongside work by its resident MAS Theatre. Parental discretion is advised.

Performances run from October 16 to 25, with matinees at 2 PM and evening shows at 8 PM. General admission is $35, and group tickets for ten or more are $32. The center is at 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa.