By Sydney Brown
Director Cliff McClelland was overwhelmed with frenzy, pride and satisfaction as he observed his hardworking cast rehearsing the final scene of the musical.
“Bat Boy: The Musical” is the first fall musical that the Theatre Magnet has produced. McClelland found this show more challenging to direct than the regular spring musical.
“The main challenge was having to direct a musical I wasn’t prepared for,” McClelland said. “Normally, I would start preparing about six months in advance. I would work on design ideas, set, costume, lights, and different styles of acting. I didn’t get time to do any of that.”
The plot revolves around a half-bat, half-boy creature who tries to blend in with the folk of the town, but he runs into obstacles along the way. His blood-sucking habit and the surprise ending makes the play a horror show.
“The show is rock and roll, rap, urban legend, blood, fun, and Halloween,” McClelland said. “It has a great story.”
At the end of the last school year, the head of the Tech Theatre Magnet, Jeffrey Winkler, decided that he was going to direct the musical. Over the summer, he chose to leave his job and instead work at Lake Highlands High as the head of theatre. McClelland had to become the new director as a result.
“It has always been a show I wanted to direct, so it all worked out,” McClelland said.
Despite the challenges McClelland faced, he said that he still believed that “Bat Boy” would be a successful show.
“What makes it work is that we have a really good cast and some really good technicians that have helped me realize my goals with the production,” McClelland said.
The cast also put time and effort into the show. Junior Lauren Bascle said that she thought that the musical was improving as the time came closer to perform.
“I feel like it is really coming together and we are working really hard on our leads,” Bascle said.
About a month before the performances, McClelland decided to make the production in black and white. This means that the set (which had to be repainted), costumes, wigs, and people will be in various shades of black, white, and gray.
“It was stressful, but I was also excited to try something new,” junior set designer Chasyn Andrews-Philbin said.
The musical will be performed on October 29, 31, and November 2 at 7:30 p.m. and on November 1 at 2:00 p.m. Before the play on October 29, there will be a festival with a live band, face painting, and a costume contest.
“I think it is going to be a real success,” junior Ariell Dunkley said. “I think it was really fun working on the play and I hope everyone enjoys it,”
Junior Emily Shollack said that she felt that the rehearsals were stressful, but it would be worth it after the performance.
“Bat Boy is such an amazing musical and I’m super excited to be performing in it,” Shollack said. “I think our cast is going to perform great and all the stress will soon be brushed away.”
McClelland said he feels that “Bat Boy” is a unique musical and is excited for people to come and see it.
“People should come and see the show because it’s edgier than most of the musicals we do,” McClelland said. “It’s more modern.”