An accident in a Chinese kitchen led to the invention of fireworks.

A pot of boiled grains eventually became Cornflakes.

And for writers, Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, a story about a half-boy, half-bat phenomenon that emerged in the 1992 edition, brought forth the book “Bat Boy.”

Toss in a talented composer/lyricist, Laurence O’Keefe, and you get “Bat Boy: The Musical,” which made its debut on Halloween in 1997.

The musical satire is now making its way to Wayne State, and being brought to life by talented WSC students at the end of March.

“In seeking a title the students would enjoy plus one carrying a contemporary message/idea, we landed on ‘Bat Boy:  The Musical,’” Director of Theatre, Gwen Jensen, said. “The music is really fun and our production style is highly entertaining. This production mixes reality, horror, goth, expressionism, camp, satire and other styles. The action is fast-paced with incredibly energetic actors.”

According to Jensen, it seems there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. Being pressed for time, however, strongly ignites the creativity and critical thinking skills of the cast and crew.

“I play two parts in the production. I play Rev. Wilhemina Hightower and a doctor. One of my favorite reasons in being a part of this play is that I get to be on a stage again since high school, and be a part of a musical I have not heard of before. It is super cool,” freshman Dulce Torres said.

While some of the subject matter may not be appropriate for younger audience members (parental discretion may be advised), the presentation of the subject matter is not graphic or confrontational.

“The students are tireless, putting in an incredible number of hours to create, build, pull from stock, generate ideas, rehearse, memorize lines, analyze relationships and character identities,” Jensen said.

Everyone attending can enter a raffle for $1 for some incredible Bat prizes. Three prizes will be given away at each performance. All benefits go to Drama Club.

There will also be a scholarship donation vase, in which Drama Club is working toward endowing a theatre scholarship of $20,000. The club is already $3,000 towards their goal.

“I think audiences will enjoy the show because they get to experience the weirdness in this play. I think this play is rather peculiar, and I love it,” Torres said. “It isn’t your average musical. It is an excellent way to escape from reality for a little while.”

“Bat Boy: The Musical” will be playing in The Black Box Theatre, Friday through Tuesday, Mar. 27-30. Admission is $5 regardless of age–WSC students, staff and faculty are admitted for free.

See http://www.wsc.edu/newscenter/story_archives/stories.php?iid=3238 for show times.