San Mateo High School Drama Bat Boy

Time: The present
Place: West Virginia

Things are not right in the aptly named town of Hope Falls, West Virginia. For one thing, something's got into the cattle. "Everyone of those cows is laying around like a welfare mother." All this trouble got started when three smart-aleck kids climbed down into a godforsaken cave and discovered something unspeakable, a hideous beast—half-boy, half-bat.

If you think this all sounds like an item out of the National Enquirer, you'd be close. The story first appeared in a tabloid with an even sleazier reputation. "Bat Child Found In Cave!" read the Weekly World News' shocker headline, accompanied by a photo of a freakish child with Spock-like ears, bulging eyes and hideously pointy fangs.

Yet, on stage, there's something pitifully adorable about Bat Boy. In spite of his looks, he's really quite lovable. Dr. Thomas Parker, the local veterinarian, nearly follows through with the sheriff's advice to put the animal down, but wife Meredith bribes him with a rare offer of sex to spare the poor dear. For some reason, she feels a certain attachment. Meredith and daughter Shelley set out to tame and refine their darling Edgar, as they have named the beast. In one of the sillier numbers, "Show You a Thing of Two," Meredith's tutorials are met with a salvo of belches, streams of drool and a hysterical serpentine tongue dance. But, thanks to a bit of patience and some BBC language tapes, Edgar is chatting up a storm in no time, replete with English accent.

The townsfolk, however, have no tolerance for Meredith's misguided benevolence. With their livestock in limbo and a kid on death's door, they're out for blood. So, too, is Edgar. You see, while the Parkers may have taught him to take tea and quote scripture, they still haven't cured his dietary bloodlust.

Written by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, BAT BOY—THE MUSICAL is one of the cleverest shows to have reached the theatre in a quite some time. With its camp characterizations and keen dialogue, BAT BOY provides light-hearted entertainment on the surface with a subtle subtext you can really sink your teeth into. Though it may appear to be an irreverence romp, at its heart lies an off-beat, downtown version of a morality play.

Director’s Notes

Based on the tabloid sightings of a feral bat boy, dragged from his cave in the mountains of West Virginia, this show is so much more than just a freak show set to a campy beat. Composer/lyricist Laurence O'Keefe writes a score that doesn't just advance the storyline; his music and lyrics also brilliantly parody all that we have come to know, enjoy, and even expect in a musical: The lovable underdog who is groomed for bigger and better things, unconditional acceptance of ourselves and others, killing is bad… you know, all the classic themes.

I can't recall how many times during the rehearsal period that I asked the cast: “Tell me another musical that has a similar song/scene to this one.” My Fair Lady, Rocky Horror, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Pippin, Les Miserables… they're all in there if you look closely enough.

Staging a modern, off-Broadway musical is difficult; absolutely everything needs to be built from scratch. And the spectacle you're about to see would not have happened without the help of some exceptionally talented people. Our incredible costumers, Sharon Windust and Jean Rozzi, pulled together the oddest array of clothing and animal-wear while always keeping us inspired (and laughing!) The elements from our technical staff – Matt Ferretti, Chad Bonaker, Ron Ho, and my darling husband Mark – just plain ROCK! Our makeup by Lisa Cross and props by Betsey Shapiro are bloody amazing (pun intended!) And if you were to look up the word “booster” in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of our wonderful and dedicated San Mateo Drama Booster organization. I simply cannot thank each and every parent, guardian and friend for all their support on this production. If you're not already a member of the Boosters, I highly recommend you become one. What a fun group!

I give much thanks to Jayne Zaban, Sean Reifschneider and Til Tribuzi for their creativity, professionalism, commitment, and for all the great post-rehearsal conversations! And of course to Brad Friedman, for once again mentoring me with your usual abundance of talent and wit. It was a joy to work with you (as always!)

So without further ado, I invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy an evening of good, clean, bloody fun…

Nancy

Becoming Bat Boy (2 min Video)

Staff
Director: Nancy Fitzgerald Metzler
Producer: Brad Friedman
Music Director: Attilio Tribuzi
Choreographer: Jayne Zaban
Vocal Director: Shawn Reifschneider

Cast List