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“Stop the Bat Boy! Stop the Bat Boy!”
Good luck. If Wednesday’s blizzard, which shut down University of Maine classes and facilities, couldn’t stop “Bat Boy: The Musical” from overtaking Hauck Auditorium this Friday, nothing can.
The play is so ambitious that a dedicated cast of 21 students, a veteran director and contracted professionals from New York City and Boston were required to realize the goal of a production which features acting, dancing, singing and technical aspects never before seen in UMaine theater.
“It’s the most technical-savvy show you’ve had in this theater as long as I’ve designed here,” said Matt Guminski, a lighting designer based in Boston. A 2003 graduate of Boston University, Guminski has done seven shows at UMaine, including “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Chicago” and “Blythe Spirit,” which was also helmed by “Bat Boy” director Marcia Douglas.
“It is a monster of a show. Where it looks like it’s simple, it’s very, very complex.”
On Wednesday, Guminski was in the process of revamping the lighting scheme from the original concept of noir to “a more comic book feel, which couldn’t be further from noir.” Changing nearly the entire design of the show’s lighting with just a few days to spare is nothing new for Guminski, who has been in ‘worse conditions.”
“The cast has been fantastic and the crew has just fit right in with what’s going on,” Douglas said of the actors and stage crew in Hauck on Wednesday, as she was helping them make the final preparations with set painting and prop and light adjustments.
In addition to the hired help and dedicated student cast, “Bat Boy” enlisted the assistance of Maine Bound, the university’s outdoor adventure program, for the opening scene, where three spelunkers rappel into an unexplored cave.
“That’s a lot of fun,” said Alexander Richardson, a second-year theater major who plays Rick, one of the three climbers entering the cave. “That was one of the biggest perks for me; a part of the audition asked whether or not you were afraid of heights.” Another of Richardson’s favorite aspects of “Bat Boy” has been the large amount of “new faces” in the cast. He also highlighted the fact that nearly every actor plays multiple characters; Richardson himself portrays three.
“Musical theater encompasses so much, and I think it really is a rare art form because it is so many things coming together to make one big production,” said Sarah Thurston, who plays a townsperson. She feels that music, dance and theater are all worthy arts individually, but they shine when integrated with each other.
“I love Brianne’s choreography,” Thurston added to her growing list of favorites in “Bat Boy,” referring to the moves choreographed by Brianne Beck, a dance instructor at UMaine. “She choreographed it completely. For the most part, it’s pretty second nature for us by now.”
After Douglas’ casting in November, the music and dance were some of the first elements put to work. Beginning in December, rehearsals continued for several weeks and resumed before winter break’s end.
“[The actors] came back a week before classes started and we worked pretty much morning, afternoon and evening,” Douglas said. “I’m really happy with the people that I cast, I think they’re doing a great job. All the elements are coming together.”
Douglas, Thurston and musical director Joshua Schmersal concur that the coordination between everyone involved has been key. “At the end of the day it’s a balancing act between the actors on stage, the musicians in the pit and the electronics involved,” Schmersal said. “It’s always an ongoing process to make sure all the musical elements come together for the best experience for the audience. The music is designed to enhance the story by providing a lot of atmosphere and underscoring during scenes.” The band consists of two keyboardists on three keyboards, an electric guitarist, a bassist and a percussionist.
The diverse selection of music includes rock, gospel, rap, ballroom dance and country. Richardson, whose character does the “rapping,” said, “We’ve even got some lullaby styles and some angry, screaming rock in there.”
“The music is what initially drew me in,” said Rebecca Bailey, a fourth-year theater major who plays Meredith Parker. “It’s no grand masterpiece, but you can’t not sing and dance to it once you’ve heard it. The songs are all just so catchy.”
With costume designer Lex Liang completing the trinity of specialized help, the three were often working days in excess of 14 hours, according to Guminski.
The costumes “push the lines of sophistication,” according to Liang’s piece in the School of Performing Arts’ newsletter. Liang also referred to the outfits as “the most dramatic yet for a student production,” as well as “the sexiest animals that will ever grace Hauck.”
No matter which of the elaborate sets are onstage, including a slaughterhouse, a dark cave – Art Rotch’s personal favorite scene for its aesthetic beauty and striking music – or a bloodied living room, ominous curtains loom overhead, a continual reminder of the dark theme. “We are certainly framing our ‘comedy’ with a grin of darkness,” Rebecca Bailey said, referring to the curtains.
“In its own very odd and at times disturbing way, ['Bat Boy'] encourages embracing social differences,” Rebecca Bailey said. “It does seem to suggest, however, that the harmony desired may not be achievable but it is humane to work toward it.”
“It’s a great style piece. You get to hear a carnivorous bat sing, ‘I’ll eat nothing but soy and bring comfort and joy,’ and it’s just goofy and really smart,” Rotch said. “It will be a terrific evening.”
“Bay Boy: The Musical” will show Feb. 16-17 and Feb. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 18 and Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12; admission is free for students with a MaineCard.
Bangor Daily News