Did the classic mystery, The Bat, inspire a superhero?

The Bat is a 1920 three-act play by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood that was based on Rinehart’s 1908 novel, The Circular Staircase. The story combines elements of mystery and comedy as Cornelia Van Gorder and her guests spend a stormy night at her rented summer home, searching for stolen money they believe is hidden in the house, while they are stalked by a masked criminal known as “the Bat.”

The Bat was a critical and commercial success, running for 867 performances in New York and 327 performances in London. The play was revived twice on Broadway, in 1937 and 1953. It spawned several adaptations, including a 1926 novel and three film adaptations were produced in 1926, 1930, and 1959.

The play and its adaptations inspired other comedy-mysteries with similar settings, and they are said to have influenced the creation of the comic-book superhero Batman.

The cast of characters includes 10 adults of various ages, with marvelous roles for both males and females. Brush Creek encourages actors and would-be actors to give the show a try — and for the rest of you, mark your calendars for our October 14 opening!