Bat Boy, the Musical Review – Being Different

Halloween will soon be upon us, and the Morgan-Wixson Theatre has a surprise in store for you to mark the season: BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. Bat Boy was “born” on June 23, 1992, the brain child of Dick Kulpa, former editor of the supermarket tabloid, Weekly World News. Half boy and half bat, Bat Boy’s picture was emblazoned right there on page 1 – and he soon became a pop culture icon. Four years later, Bat Boy became the star of a musical which debuted right here in Los Angeles, courtesy of Tim Robbins’ Actors Gang – on Halloween 1997, no less. In 2001, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL traveled off Broadway, where the show received the Lucille Lortel, the Outer Critics Circle, and two Richard Rodgers awards. With story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL has been performed in London and around the world. For over a decade, the show has not been produced in LA – until now. In 2024, the Morgan-Wixson proudly presents BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL.

Lauren Josephs and Cassandra Caruso – Photo by Joel Castro

Director/choreographer Meghan Ripchik carefully selected the cult classic: “BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL is everything I had been looking for in a show and more. It’s not often that broad camp holds such a distinct purpose in the relevancy of a show…the ridiculousness of hypocrisy…I cannot think of a more important time to tell the story than election season, one that allows us to reflect inwardly on our own intolerance and think about the influences political and religious powers can hold over our judgement.”

Connor Tyler Gray (center) – Photo by Joel Castro

The time is the present, and the place is Hope Falls, West Virginia (population 500). Bat Boy/Edgar (Aaron Ellis) was living peacefully in his cave until the untimely arrival of some spelunkers and his reluctant introduction into the small-town society of Hope Falls. Clearly, this half bat/half boy did not resemble the folks in town. To add to his bizarre differences, he couldn’t talk and didn’t understand the behaviors of those strange beings around him.

Ensemble cast – Photo by Joel Castro

Interwoven into the sad tale of Bat Boy are nearly two dozen songs heralding milestones in his life in Hope Falls, each offering song and dance for Bat Boy and the narrow-minded residents of the town.  Even as he begins to learn the ways of these strangers with the help of Shelley (Cassandra Caruso) and her daughter Meredith (Lauren Josephs), he still battles the prejudice of the outcast as he tries desperately but naively to fit in. Isn’t he lucky to meet up with Shelly’s husband, veterinarian Dr. Parker (Connor Tyler Gray), who figures out Bat Boy’s diet. Or is he?

Ensemble cast – Photo by Joel Castro

Ripchik helms this comedy-horror morality tale with skill, energy, and a fresh new viewpoint balancing the comic, the tragic, and the camp. It is easy to see why the show has become a cult classic. It is filled with chaos, death, destruction – and lots of blood. After a shaky start, the cast entered the spirit of the tale with relish. The talented cast does the eerie tale justice. A review cannot go forward without citing the production team who created the ambience and look of the show. Martin Del Orbe’s scenic design, Nia Heinrich’s costumes, Lex Verdayes’ hair and make-up, Russell Chow’s lighting, and Ethan Strubbe’s sound – to name but a few – play a major role in creating Bat Boy’s world. This is perfect, very spooky Halloween fare and should delight and entertain audiences right through the ghostly season.

Aaron Ellis – Photo by Joel Castro

BAT BOY, THE MUSICAL runs through October 13, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays (additional 2 p.m. performance on Saturday 10/5/24 and special late night show at 10 p.m. on Friday 10/11/24). The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is located at 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $32 (seniors and military $28; students $25). For information and reservations, call 310-828-7519 or go online.