Theater review: TheatreWorks' 'Bat Boy' is terrific theater, lots of fun Theater review: TheatreWorks' 'Bat Boy' is terrific theater, lots of fun (July 30, 2003)

By Bryan Wiggin
Almanac Theater Critic

TheatreWorks' current production of "Bat Boy," a musical by Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming and Laurence O'Keefe, has every element of theater that Aristotle prescribed: plot, character, thought, language, music, and spectacle. While it may be a little thin in thought, it has the other elements in such spectacular abundance as to constitute a theatrical experience not to be missed.

In Hope Falls, West Virginia, three young spelunkers (C. Kelly Wright, Edward Juvier, and Michelle Starrs) find a bat-like young man in a cave. After the local citizens decide to refrain from killing the Bat Boy as they sing of their "Christian Charity," he is kept in a cage in the home of Dr. Parker, the veterinarian (David McDonald).

Mrs. Parker (Heidi Blickenstaff) tries to teach the boy language, leading to a very funny scene in which she finds herself speaking to him in ... well ... bat. But almost instantly, he begins pronouncing English words, and before long he's graduating from high school, speaking with a British accent acquired from BBC language tapes, and holding his teacup with lifted pinkie.

Wanting broader acceptance, he goes to a revival meeting of the Rev. Billy Hightower, one of those strutting, swaggering evangelists, done with tremendous verve by James Monroe Inglehart.

With his wife doting on the boy, and his daughter, Shelley (Molly Bell), developing a crush on him, Dr. Parker is moved by jealousy to lethally inject the spelunker who was bitten by the initially frightened Bat Boy, casting blame on the Bat Boy and thus turning everyone against him. Shelley and the Bat Boy hide out in his cave, but are found and brought back to earth.

There is much, much more to this show than I have space to relate; it is filled with event and action. The conclusion brings surprising revelations about the boy's parentage, a triple slaying, and a happy ending.

Justin Greer plays the Bat Boy, and he is terrific, but so is everyone else in the cast, including Eric Wenburg and David Curley. All except the leading players take multiple parts, and bring them off with panache.

If I had to select one standout performance, it would be that of Heidi Blickenstaff as Mrs. Parker, but not by much, so I'm glad I don't have to.

The direction of Linda Goodrich is superb, with not a loose bolt to be seen. Except for a patch of slowing in the second act -- due to the script -- the pace is quick and every number has wallop. She did the choreography, too. An outstanding accomplishment.

Excellence seems to bring out the best from all involved, and there are marvelous settings from Andrea Bechert, particularly that cave. Allison Connor has created some costumes that are fabulously imaginative. Also fabulous is the lighting of Steven B. Mannshardt and the sound of Steve Schoenbeck. And music director William Liberatore has his small pit band playing with precision and bite.

The only complaint I can register is that, when everyone is singing in full voice, the sound is almost painfully loud. And I suspect that's why a few older patrons did not return after intermission.

"Bat Boy" is a theatrical experience of almost operatic grandiosity. It is also belly-laugh funny and a hell of a lot of fun. Have I made myself clear? Go see it.

"Bat Boy," a musical by Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming, and Laurence O'Keefe is being presented by TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto through August 10. For information, call 903-6000, or visit theatreworks.org.