Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Fleming
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’ Keefe
Directed by Jacque Lueken
At Village Players Performing Arts Center
About Bat Boy: The Musical
Bat Boy: The Musical is a darkly comic stage musical inspired by a fictional Weekly World News story about a half-human, half-bat creature discovered in a West Virginia cave. With music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and a book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, the show blends horror parody, rock-influenced songs and satire about fear, prejudice and belonging.
Bat Boy: The Musical – Original Village Players Review
I’m amazed that anyone would even think about mounting Bat Boy: The Musical since it is a silly, not funny work with lame atonal music on ridiculous lyrics with a book that defies credulity. I don’t think a top flight cast of Equity players could make this horrible show work and given the cast of community theatre performers that director Jacque Luekan picked had little chance of success. There is no redeeming artistic value in this drek of a bad musical. It is not funny, melodic, nor camp nor satirical–only silly. I find it hard to believe that there have been 60 productions of Bat Boy: The Musical around the USA since 2001–a tribute to the lack of taste in some regional theatres.
The Village Players can’t seem to make up their minds if they are a community theatre company or a professional troupe. Their production of Bat Boy: The Musical is peopled with a collection of rank amateurs who can neither sing, act or dance. This cast butchered O’ Keefe’s talk songs wanting to scream or shriek for emphasis. The out-of-step dancers were so lame that I wanted to shout out “Don’t Dance!” The setting was West Virginia, yet only the sheriff had a mountain accent while the others hacked-up their Southern drawls.
The acting was stiff, corny and poorly presented. Mark Lebeay, Jr. tried to make Bat Boy work but his silly animal antics, his swishy manner, with his limited vocal range rendered Bat Boy as a cartoon caricature with ET ears. No one in the cast could sing a note! But since the songs were a collection of unoriginal show specific pop/rock, hip-hop and copy-cat Broadway tunes, it didn’t matter. This uneven and tedious cliche-ridden show was much too long. If Village Players wants to mount ambitious musicals, they should go see how their Forest Park neighbor, Circle Theatre, produces them since Circle Theatre continues to find young talents and grooms them into worthy musical comedy performers. Bat Boy: The Musical is as bad as the name sounds. Village Players needs to cast stronger performers and pick better plays. Skip this one for Circle’s The Who’s Tommy.
Not Recommended
Tom Williams
At Village Players Performing Arts Center, 1010 Madison, Oak Park, IL, tickets $2- – $25
Bat Boy: The Musical – Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bat Boy: The Musical based on a true story?
No. The musical was inspired by the fictional Bat Boy character from the tabloid Weekly World News. Its unusual premise provides a way to explore prejudice, identity and conformity.
Who wrote Bat Boy: The Musical?
Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming wrote the book, while Laurence O’Keefe composed the music and wrote the lyrics.
When did Bat Boy: The Musical premiere?
Bat Boy: The Musical premiered at Actors Gang Theatre in Los Angeles in 1997 before opening Off-Broadway at the Union Square Theatre in March 2001. Although it never had a Broadway run, the musical developed a following through regional, college and community theatre productions.
Is Bat Boy: The Musical a comedy or a horror musical?
Bat Boy: The Musical combines horror, dark comedy and social satire. Its premise involves a half-human, half-bat creature, but much of the humor comes from exaggerated characters, absurd situations and the townspeople’s reactions to someone they consider different. Beneath the comedy, the story explores prejudice, fear and acceptance.
What kind of music is in Bat Boy: The Musical?
Laurence O’Keefe’s score incorporates rock, pop, gospel and traditional musical theatre styles. Notable songs include “Hold Me, Bat Boy,” “Comfort and Joy,” “Three Bedroom House” and “Apology to a Cow.” The variety of musical styles reflects the show’s mixture of comedy, horror and emotional drama.
How long is Bat Boy: The Musical?
Most productions of Bat Boy: The Musical run approximately two hours to two hours and 30 minutes, often including an intermission. Running times vary depending on the production, staging and musical arrangements.
I take it you didn’t like the production?
Really though, in the right hands, “Bat Boy” is actually a fun show. Yes, it’s just silly entertainment, but when sung by professional-level singers, the score is rocking and some of it is quite funny too. There is a good reason why the show was a hit in New York and is constantly produced around the country.
So apparently you had a difficult time with the material prior to seeing the production.
While the piece is not for everyone, there certainly is a reason there is a following for this piece and why theater companies across the country are producing this wacky work–even if you don’t like or appreciate it.
I agree with Bat Boy Fan; “the score is rocking”.
I am also shocked that a critic would compare theater companies in a review. Apparently, not a professional review.