“Holy retro remake, Batman!”

Just when you thought childhood fun was no longer available, the Caped Crusader and his boy wonder show up to take on their arch-nemeses.

The production of “Batman: the TV Show: The Play,” currently playing at the Dark Room Theater on Mission Street in San Francisco, is based on the satirical 1960s television series made popular by Adam West.

Complete with “BAM!” “POW!” and “BIFF!” signs shown throughout the play, “Batman” is truly authentic entertainment.

“I liked how the novelty of the original show transcended through time to the performance,” said Design and Industry Senior Greg Schroeder, 21. “Everything you could want was there.”

As soon as the tiny spotlights dim in the petite theatre, the audience is taken to Gotham City, where crime is contained by Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego.

“We chose ‘Batman’ because it’s a modern camp classic that many people remember fondly and giggle just thinking about it,” said Erin Ohanneson, producer and costume designer.

Senior business major Matt Abfalter, 20, wasn’t so sure of what he was getting himself into.

“From the moment you see the theater you become wary of what you just paid for,” Abfalter said. “But the second the lights dim and Batman hits the stage, you become engrossed in the play, and forget about the lack of stage and equipment.”

Tickets quickly sold out and the small venue became packed as the audience was introduced to the villains of the night.

In his black tights, bat ears and mask, Batman and his outlandishly-clad sidekick Robin the Boy Wonder are confronted with a problem when they learn that the Riddler, Catwoman, the Penguin, and the Joker have all escaped from the insane asylum.

Amongst comedy, sexual innuendos, and fight scenes, Batman and Robin attempt to save their fair city’s water supply from being contaminated by the Joker and his gang.

“I appreciated their use of ridiculous scientific terms, and the way they mocked technological advances, such as the computer,” said Civil Engineering Senior Jeremy McGee, 21. “The cast did a great job of bringing fact, humor, and authentic 1960s Batman conundrums to the performance.”

True to the television series, exact characters, costumes, terms, and dilemmas are used in an original episode. Although the performance is based on the series, the cast acts out an original script written and directed by Jim Fourniadis, co-owner of the Dark Room.

For Abfalter, the show meant more that just a night’s worth of entertainment; it sparked his interest in theater, which is exactly Ohanneson’s hope.

“Few people have the incentive to see live theater anymore,” Ohanneson said. “It’s a tradition that goes back thousands of years (and) breaks the wall that film and television have built in.”

For more information visit The Dark Room