For Immediate Release: January 30, 2007
Media Contact: Jessica Sentak, The Academy Theatre, 609.291.9000

The Academy Theatre opens the doors for its 5th Season with Bat Boy: The Musical. It will run from February 23rd - March 10th at The Academy Theatre, located at 146 Route 130 in Bordentown, New Jersey. Along with the Academy's top notch performances they are also hosting "Another Bloody Musical Blood Drive" for The American Red Cross during opening weekend on Saturday February 24th from 10AM - 4PM. "Another Bloody Musical" participants will receive half price tickets to the Bat Boy performance of their choice by buying tickets during the blood drive. The show stars Michael Diehls as Bat Boy and Mandy Murphy as Shelley, they will be joined by Elizabeth Snyder, and Michael DeShields . Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, $18 for groups over 12, and introducing new student prices of $15 with ID. Tickets are available by contacting The Academy Theatre Box Office at (609) 291-9000. More information and internet ticket sales are available by visiting www.theacademytheatre.com.

Bat Boy: The Musical produced originally Off-Broadway is based on the character of Bat Boy, who first made his debut in the pages of the Weekly World News. The tabloid story, about a half and half boy-human, inspired Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming and Laurence O'Keefe to write this side-splitting spoof about the small town of Hope Falls, West Virginia and their interaction with the Bat Boy.

In the musical, Bat Boy, affectionately named Edgar by his foster family, learns to speak, walk upright, yearns for acceptance and tries to join society, only to face hatred and violence from a town that fears him and jealous rage from his foster father. Although full of blood, violence, incest and interspecies sex, Bat Boy: The Musical has won several awards and rave reviews and is regarded as one of the funniest and most imaginative musicals in years. John Lahr of The New Yorker observes "this is the only play in the history of the theatre whose hero ends Act I with a rabbit in his mouth, and who moves on in Act II to an entire cow's head."

The Academy Theatre is also adding performances to its schedule. Usually only holding performances on Fridays and Saturday, the Academy is now adding Thursday performances the last two weeks of the run. Show Dates are: Friday February 23rd, 2007 @ 8 PM Saturday, Feb. 24th, 2007 @ 8 PM Thursday, March 1st, 2007 @ 8 PM Friday, March 2nd, 2007 @ 8 PM Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 @ 2 & 8 PM Thursday, March 8th, 2007 @ 8 PM Friday, March 9th, 2007 @ 8 PM Saturday, March 10th, 2007 @ 2 & 8 PM

Cast & Crew

Jessica Sentak (Director): [Chesterfield, NJ] Bat Boy: The Musical opens the 2007 season and Producing Artistic Director, Jessica Sentak, takes the helm. She is the director for The Academy's yearly Rocky Horror Show and has directed Cabaret, A Chorus Line, Godspell, Evita, and many others in her time here. Working professionally as a lighting designer and director around the region Jessica has had the privilege of working with many New Jersey, Philadelphia and New York based companies such as, BCKSEET productions, The College of New Jersey, Princeton Shakespeare Rep, and many local high schools. A graduate of Northern Burlington High School, she holds a B.A. in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree.

Dan Kazemi (Musical Director) [Philadelphia, PA]: Dan, having just finished musically directing You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Rocky Horror Show, received as one of the best sounding casts the Academy has ever seen, joins again to work his musical magic with the cast of Bat Boy recently graduated from Haverford College with a B.A. in Music, concentrating in theory and composition, and a theater minor from Bryn Mawr College. This director/actor/singer/composer has been a proud member of the music staff at Stagestruck Kids Performing Arts Camp for the past 6 summers, and is excited to have the opportunity to continue instructing during the year. At Haverford, Dan was a member of the FordSchords, an all male collegiate a cappella group. After directing the first a cappella group at Stagestruck in the summer of 02, Dan took on the challenge of directing the FordSchords for his last two years at Haverford. Since graduation Dan has performed and musically directed professionally in the Philadelphia area. Recent projects include musically directing the Philadelphia premiere of Tick Tick Boom at the 11th hour Theatre Company, the world premiere of Diabolique and the American Premier of Austentatious at the Philly Fringe Festival and the first ever Philly Rocks concert. He also directed, musically directed and designed Annie Jr at the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Academy.

John Boccanfusso (Choreographer): [Hamilton, NJ]: This is John's third show with the Academy. A student at The College of New Jersey, and a graduate of Hamilton High School John is very much apart of the local arts scene.

Bat Boy: The Musical's opening night (February 23rd) will offer hors d'oeuvres and a special snack provided by Oliver's a bistro, a fine dinning establishment located in quaint Bordentown City. As always The Academy Theatre provides an opportunity to meet and greet with the cast and production staff and complimentary wine and beverages.

Bat Boy: The Musical has, at this time, a limited run of only ten performances. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at 609-291-9000. Ticket cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door, students, with ID are $15, group rates are available as well. To see a seating chart or for more information on The Academy Theatre, check our website at www.theacademytheatre.com.

For more information regarding The Academy Theatre, this press release, or to arrange for interviews call Jessica Sentak at 609-291-9000 or by emailing theacademytheatre@yahoo.com.

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