Although it may not feel like fall, the season is upon us and along with it comes a host of Halloween happenings. Two community theater troupes stage holiday productions for the enjoyment of the scare- and laugh-loving populace. M.A.D. Theatre of Tampa presents Bat Boy: The Musical, which is based on the Weekly World News story about a half boy/half bat creature. In the musical, Bat Boy is found in a cave near a sleepy rural community, and is acclimated to society with help from a veterinarian who takes him in. But things take a turn when the town discovers the secret of Bat Boy's origin. Across the Bay in Gulfport, Island Community Theatre stages The House of Frankenstein!, a comedy send-up of classic Universal monster movies. In it, a not-so-talented Dr. Frankenstein and his castle of unhappy residents find their dreary existence interrupted by Count Dracula, the Wolfman, and the Phantom of the Opera, who are looking to have their respective curses removed. Bat Boy: The Musical, through Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., The Cuban Club, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, Tampa, $20 general/$15 students and military; and The House of Frankenstein!, through Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 1:30 p.m. Sun., Catherine Hickman Theater, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport, $15 adults/$10 students, 727-345-1474.
This article appears in Oct 15-21, 2008.
