‘Bat Boy’ escapes from Maine

Dark musical comedy about acceptance wraps up production

By Derek Dobachesky

Posted on Feb. 26, 2007, at 12:00 a.m.

“Hold your Bat Boy, Touch your Bat Boy / No more need to hide!

Know your Bat Boy, Love your Bat Boy / don’t deny your beast inside!”

Thus ended the production “Bat Boy: The Musical” at Hauck Auditorium on Feb. 18. The words of the closing number, “Hold Me, Bat Boy (Reprise)” seem to succinctly summarize the message of tolerance contained within the rather eccentric production. Despite the relatively far-fetched nature of the show’s material, the meaning contained therein is universal and relates on a personal level.

In the words of one audience member, second-year student Sarah Flynn, “It was really loony. I guess [the message is to] accept people, [that's] the best way to put it.”

The show details the fictional exploits of a half-human, half-bat creature known as Bat Boy who originally appeared in the pages of the tabloid Weekly World News. Bat Boy, played by first-year theatre major Jacob Cayouette, is brought into the politics of small-town life in Hope Falls, W. Va. after being discovered in a cave by three local teenagers.

In Hope Falls, a small, tightly-knit community in which everyone knows each other’s business, Bat Boy is treated with much suspicion. He is resented by Dr. Parker, a veterinarian whose house he lives in, but embraced by the doctor’s wife, Meredith, played by senior theatre major Rebecca Bailey, and their daughter Shelley, played by third-year theatre major Whitney Blethen. He quickly assimilates to life in the Parker household after taking lessons from Mrs. Parker and practicing English with some BBC language tapes.

However, Dr. Parker and the townspeople remain suspicious of Edgar – as Meredith names Bat Boy – to the point of open hostility, blaming him for the deaths of cows. Dr. Parker eventually frames him for the deaths of Ruthie and Rick Taylor, two of the teenagers who discovered him in the cave. In what Flynn described as a “sad, sad story of love,” the tale ends with Dr. Parker killing his wife. Then, Edgar and Parker kill each other.

Cayouette did an excellent job portraying Edgar, initially traveling on all fours and communicating exclusively by howling, then through the second act as his character learned to speak proper English. The set design, courtesy of scenic designer Art Rotch, was excellent, with an ominous feel throughout to match the dark tone of the show. Flynn commented on the end product, saying, “I thought it was good. It was well done and put together. Everything seemed to come together well; it was really polished.”

Overall, the show was enjoyable, albeit rather morose. It seemed to send the message to the audience that they should accept their differences, including those scorned by society, or else they will suffer nothing but strife for trying to hide them. Kerry Malcosky, a first-year student, said, “You could see the social commentary throughout the play.”

Malcosky also expressed the consensus of the audience reaction when she said, “I really liked it. It was a lot of fun to watch.”

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