The Village
Players: Bat Boy: The Musical is about to begin......
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
Inc. photo
Village Players Performing
Arts Center Presents:
Bat
Boy: The Musical
by Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming
&
Laurence O’Keefe
May 29 – June 28, 2009
"A
wild ride of irony, humor, spoofs, and bites, all set to tunes, with
imaginative choreography....you'll love it."
Suburban
Journals of Chicago Inc.
review by Ed
Vincent
Bat Boy was
first performed at the Actors Gang Theatre in
1997 and went on to productions in New York City as an
off-Broadway show and then went on to all corners of the
world in various productions: London, Edinburgh, Toronto, South
Korea, Japan and down under in Melbourne, Australia.
It has now come to Oak Park, at the Village Player's Theatre.
The production in Oak Park is a fun off the wall drama with
incredible make up, dance and acting. Mark LeBeau, Jr. is
absolutely tremendous in his portrayal of the nocturnal
protagonist-antagonist from the caves of tabloid hell. I recall
the image from the local supermart years ago. I also recall not
having picked it up, once I saw the artistic rendering of the doll
entity from an apparent cheap sci-fi.
Having only used drugs at parties decades before I was not inspired to
do anything with the image other than keep in the
distant regions of my mind, but someone thought of a script
and music and choreography.
Mark LeBeau,
Jr. as Bat Boy and Tim
Grover as Dr. Thomas Parker
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
Inc. photo
The production
in Oak Park has some great characters who
each make a great presentation in their roles: Mark LeBeau,
Jr. as BatBoy is fantastic; Tim Grover is grand; and his wife
Emily Macomber is iconic, ironic, and a pleasure to watch.
The script is nutty with just enough fiber to keep it healthy.
I would not recommend this play for young children or those
with tastes more focused on Bing Crosby. When I first saw
Emily Macomber as Meridith Parker I thought of Mrs. Brady
from the television show, meeting Nosferatu (there
is a link below to the entire 1922 movie).
I liked this show a good 120% more than some Tony award winning shows (Urinetown).
It is zany and irreverent perhaps
even a tad blasphemous. Bravo to Village Players and the
great production.
YouTube
Scenes from Other BatBoy Musical Productions
Here is Link to the
entire film from 1922 "Nosteratu"
The Cast of
Village Players: Bat Boy: The Musical
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
Inc. photo
Village Players Performing
Arts Center Presents:
Bat
Boy: The Musical
by Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming&
Laurence O’Keefe
May 29 – June 28, 2009
Oak Park, IL—
Off-Broadway sensation Bat Boy: The Musical opens May 29, 2009 at the
Village Players Theatre. .
Continuing the saga started by the Weekly World News, this Off-Broadway
hit is chock full of both hilarity and heart-wrenching emotion. Edgar,
the Bat Boy, is found in cave in West Virginia and then brought-up by a
well-meaning family. Still the outsider, Edgar struggles to fit and
survive in a world that is not ready to accept him.
The cast includes:
Mark LeBeau, Jr. as Bat Boy, Emily Macomber as Meridith Parker, Tim
Grover as Dr. Thomas Parker, Julia Gordon as Shelly Parker and
Justin Vidovic
as Sheriff Reynolds. Additional cast members are: Mike Danovich,
Michael Mejia, Mindy Wetzel, Christa Buck, Ty Mohr, Gary Shum, Kevin
Bry, Deric Gochenauer , Jennifer Noble, Lara Mainier, Willow Schneider,
Danelle Wildermuth.
The Production
Staff includes: Director, Carl Occhipinti; Music Director, Maria
Hercik; Assistant Director, Tim Grover; Stage Manage, Brett Taylor;
Assistant Stage Manager, Michelle Springer; Costume Designer, Anna
Glowacki; Makeup and Special Effects, Pat Collins; Lighting Designer,
Andrew Glasenhardt; Sound Designer, John List; House Manager, Linda
Miles; Videographer, Karen Gerbig; Sound Board Operator, Kevin
McCauley,
and Leah Bormann as additional Crew.
This production
is proudly sponsored by Columbia College & Butler Family Foundation
Bat Boy: The
Musical performs May 29 – June 28, 2009. Fridays & Saturdays
are at 8:00PM and Sundays are at 3:00PM. Tickets are $25 for Adults,
and $20 for Students & Seniors.
Presented on the
Mainstage of the Village Players Performing Arts Center
located at 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Plenty of parking is available
on the street. The theater is handicap accessible; please call ahead to
arrange for special seating. More information is available
at www.village-players.org or 866-764-1010.
Village
Players Performing Arts Center offers an eclectic mix of entertainment
that empowers and inspires while exploring the human condition.
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