I chat with Laurence O’Keefe, the composer to Bat Boy: The Musical. We talk about the show, an American horror rock musical, which was presented in Fall 2025 at the acclaimed New York City Center’s Encores Series. The original production opened Off-Broadway in March 2001. O’Keefe wrote two new songs for the New York City Center staging, which are premiered on the podcast. For the uninitiated, Bat Boy: The Musical is based on a June 23, 1992 Weekly World News story about a half-boy, half-bat, dubbed “Bat Boy”, who grew up living in a cave.
THIS EPISODE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY FRIDAY.
BAT CHILD FOUND IN CAVE
It all started in Pendleton County, West Virginia where Dr. Ron Dillon discovered this unique “creature,” who would become known as Bat Boy, living in a cave in the Allegheny Mountains.
Explorers captured Bat Boy, who was living almost two miles underground. Weekly World News’ Bat Boy reporting went “viral,” spreading faster than any news story could in the days before the Internet and social media – it was a peaceful time. Weekly World News →
ABOUT LAURENCE O’KEEFE
Laurence Crawford O’Keefe (born 1969) is an American composer and lyricist best known for writing several popular stage musicals. He graduated from Harvard College (class of 1991), attended Berklee College of Music, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California (USC). He is married to lyricist and writer Nell Benjamin.
MAJOR STAGE WORKS:
- Bat Boy: The Musical (2001): Composed music and lyrics; won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and received multiple Drama Desk nominations.
- Legally Blonde: The Musical (2007): Co-wrote music and lyrics with Nell Benjamin; earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score and an Olivier Award.
- Heathers: The Musical (2014): Co-wrote music, lyrics, and book with Kevin Murphy; received a Drama Desk nomination.
- Other Works: Sarah, Plain and Tall (2002), Cam Jansen (2004), Life of the Party (2012), and Huzzah! (2025).
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