'Bat Boy: The Musical' will open Theatre Factory's new season

Patrick Varine, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Sep. 19—If you say the phrase "supermarket tabloid" to someone and ask what image comes to mind, there's a good chance they will mention "Bat Boy," the infamous (not to mention fictional) subject of a 1992 Weekly World News story and the poster child for the height of tabloid silliness.

"Bat Boy," a half-human, half-bat hybrid who was supposedly discovered in a West Virginia cave, and in 1997 the story became a musical that the Theatre Factory in Trafford will stage to kick off its upcoming season.

The small cast has been rehearsing since Aug. 21. For Murrysville native Paulina Neuschwander, it is the fastest show turnaround she's been a part of, and her first time onstage since the covid pandemic began.

"I've been loving every second of it," Neuschwander said. "I've been performing starting with dance when I was young."

Neuschwander recently graduated from Duquesne University with a marketing degree, but has kept one foot in the theater world, auditioning for shows with Duquesne's Red Masquers and at Penn State's New Kensington Forum Theatre.

In "Bat Boy," she plays the dual roles of teenager Ruthie Taylor and town resident Mr. Dillon in the musical's story of hysteria and prejudice.

"I've never been part of a show that has these darker themes running through it," Neuschwander said. "It's been a very fun challenge playing a character like Ruthie, who's a little more rough around the edges. I feel like this role is helping me really grow as an actress."

Actor Matt Mlynarski of Lower Burrell is stepping into the role of director for "Bat Boy."

"It's vastly different," he said. "You have to worry about all the roles, how the story is told and what the intentions are of people telling the story. On top of that, you have to make sure everything from sets to painting to costumes and lighting all go together and are unified in helping to tell your interpretation of the script."

"Bat Boy: The Musical," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23-24, Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee Sept. 25.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, see OnTheStage.com and enter "Bat Boy Theatre Factory" into the "Production Search" box.

The Theatre Factory is at 235 Cavitt Ave. in Trafford. For more, see TheatreFactory.org.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .