The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

Back in 1927, the Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat broke new ground in the American theatre. Up till then, musical theatre had featured light operas, revues with dancing girls, and vaudeville-type comedy with musical numbers. With Show Boat, a real story became the focal point. For the first time in theatre history, drama was being set to music. No longer could this genre be called “musical comedy,” and a whole new description had to be invented to talk about musical theatre.

In the best tradition of that legacy, the Fallsburg Junior / Senior High School Drama Club, under the direction of Ellen Pavloff, presents Bat Boy as their spring 2010 musical Friday and Saturday, April 9 and 10.

Bat Boy, which had its world premiere in Los Angeles in October of 1997, was inspired by a 1992 story in the tabloid Weekly World News, alleging that a half-bat half-human boy was discovered living in a cave in West Virginia. The music was written by Laurence O’Keefe, the story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming.

Pavloff and the students could not have found a more topical show, as Bat Boy covers such serious and current themes as racism, revenge, hypocrisy, mob mentality and fundamentalist-type religion. While one family tries to humanize the creature, neighbors and townspeople fear for their safety. Throw in raging jealousy and prejudice, and view a snapshot of what could be any place in America. 

With musical direction by Liz Toleno, the five-piece pit band directed by John Lusk gets to provide a wide variety of musical styles including ballads, religious revival-type songs and dance numbers. 

The set, designed by Harold Tighe, is simple and useful, and doesn’t get in the way of the story. Under the guidance of stage manager Heidi Woloszczak, the set crew is quick and efficient. Indeed the whole show is well paced, helped along by lively musical numbers choreographed by Jane Lawski.

Featured performers are: Christopher Sheridan as Bat Boy, Adam Dohrenwend as the Sheriff, Sierra Spechler as Mayor Maggie and Mother Nature, Jamie Parker as Shelley, Violeta Loarca as Meredith, and Aaron Tremper as Dr. Parker. Additional performers include Tadeusz Loarca, Joel Berrian, Ilyssa Weiner, Jonathan Schlosser, Brittany Borko, Gabriella Ginsberg, Elizabeth Loarca, Lindsay Malman, Sorrina Negru, Courtney Stack, Matt Bonnell, Kourtney-lyn Cannon, Carina Ciaramitaro and Dayana Dendariarena. 

Director Ellen Pavloff mentioned that Sheridan is so dedicated to his role that, after realizing the bald pate used to hide his hair wasn’t working, insisted on shaving his head for the part.

Originally, Pavloff was at a loss for what show to do this year, and didn’t know anything about Bat Boy before she chose it with input from her Drama Club students. But once she read the script and listened to the CD she knew she would be able to cast it. “We talked about it, and the kids didn’t want to do Grease or something run-of-the-mill. They’re very into this show and what it’s all about. I think that one of the things they like about it is the topical nature.”

Rehearsals started in January and were held even during the recent spring break.

Bat Boy won awards for best Off-Broadway musical including both the Lucille Lortel Award and Outer Critics Circle Award in 2001. In addition, regional productions have won several awards. A New York Times review of the Off-Broadway production stated, “It’s remarkable what this show’s intelligent wit can accomplish.”

Performances of Bat Boy are Friday and Saturday, April 9 and 10 at  7:00 p.m. in the Fallsburg High School Auditorium, 115 Brickman Road, Fallsburg, NY 12733. The show is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.

Tickets are $8.00 for adults, and $5.00 for students and seniors, and may be purchased at the door.

Make a night of it and arrive early on Friday, April 9 for the Spaghetti Dinner hosted by the Fallsburg High School Class of 2014. Dinner is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and students, and children 3 and under are free. 

To view more photos or to purchase prints from the Fallsburg Junior / Senior High School Drama Club’s production of Bat Boy visit The Catskill Chronicle on Zenfolio.