Review: 'Bat Boy' at Connecticut Theatre Company

Pictured above: Rob Crumb as Rev. Hightower and Adam Tortorello as Bat Boy All photos courtesy of CTC

Dedicated to Bob Tansley

New Britain, CT - The Connecticut Theatre Company is the group that performs at the recently renovated The Repertory Theatre on Norden Street. With the matinee on Sunday, they closed their production of BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. With their blockbuster production of THE COLOR PURPLE fresh in my mind, I begged the production team to allow me to attend the final performance of BAT BOY for a review.

BAT BOY is well, weird. The show is a rock musical comedy/horror show with a book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe. It was based on a June 23, 1992 Weekly World News story about a half-boy/half-bat, dubbed "Bat Boy" who grew up living in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia.

When some teens discover Bat Boy, the local sheriff brings him to the home of the town veterinarian, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a “normal” boy by the veterinarian’s wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him. The locals are prodded by the machinations of the evil Dr. Parker, who secretly despises Bat Boy. There is a revival meeting complete with an attempted faith healing to open act two and many dead cows (“Another Dead Cow” and “Apology to a Cow.”)

Of course, Shelley and Bat Boy fall in love and run away together from the ignorant townsfolk. Their happiness is shattered when Meredith arrives and reveals a secret; soon the entire town arrives and hears the shocking story of Bat Boy’s unholy origin. Expect things to end badly. In addition to this strange action, the book deals with serious themes (such as hypocrisy, acceptance, forgiveness, racism, revenge and scapegoating), but often punctuates the most serious moments with slapstick, surrealism, camp-horror and irony.

The president of CTC, Erin Campbell writes in her message in the printed program that the company believes that “the arts are integral in the community” and that the group strives “to continue pushing ourselves to offer shows that inspire and challenge us.” Director Ben Silberman adds that “This show is not your typical musical. The characters are telling this story from a flashback point of view and they have already learned the lessons.” He invites the audience to enjoy this story with an open mind. “Like most theatrical arts, BAT BOY is meant to provoke and make a statement on the current social environment.” I had already decided to keep an open mind and enjoy the performances and the fun music and I was not disappointed.

CTC Executive Director Duane Campbell (Edna in HAIRSPRAY at CTC) returned to the stage to take on the challenging part of Dr. Thomas Parker. Mr. Campbell, one of the nicest people on the planet, pulled off the role syringe-wielding veterinarian. His wife Erin (BOEING, BOEING at CTC) sang beautifully in the equally challenging role of the vet’s wife Meredith. It was such a treat to see this couple on stage together.

Nick Carrano, a recent graduate of CCSU with a degree in Theatre Performance where I saw him in PIPPIN, did well as the rowdy teen Rick Taylor, Pan (!) and the town resident Clem. Cassandra Crumb was always in the moment as a town resident named Lorraine.
Ms. Crumb’s father, the very talented Rob Crumb, gave impressive performances as the town sheriff and the preacher Rev. Hightower. Mr. Crumb used his wonderful singing voice to make “A Joyful Noise,” and I hope to see him in an upcoming production.

Zoe Dominy-Nguyen, currently a freshman at CCSU, made a wonderful Mayor Maggie (okey-dokey) and a doctor in her CTC debut. Twelve year old Jonathan Kelly played the role of another sibling in the Taylor family and Mr. Dillon, a rancher. Isabelle Lewis took on the role of Ruthie Taylor. Melissa Rostkoski played the distraught mother of the Taylor clan. Hannah Rubitz covered the roles of townspeople Bud and Daisy.

At fifteen years of age, Kennedy Morris has been in over 75 theatrical productions. Here she sang perfectly in the role of the daughter Shelly Parker. Her beloved Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theatre director Bob Tansley attended this closing performance to see Kennedy at work in her debut with CTC.

Adam Tortorello stepped up to take on the title role and, wow, did he pull it off. Wearing bat ears and effective make up, this actor made it look easy to play this unique role and he sang wonderfully. Mr. Tortorello runs the nonprofit company White Rabbit Theatre, which will be doing the musical LEGALLY BLONDE in April.

Mr. Silberman directed with a deft touch and Ben McCormack, at WCSU graduate, served as music director. Kat Blair costumed her first show since graduating from CCSU with aplomb and Kristen Norris, the resident choreographer at CTC who worked on the fantastic ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, matched the dance moves to the tone of this show.

Thank you to the CTC production team for allowing me to attend so late in the run. Upcoming shows at CTC include FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF Oct. 19 - 21 and LITTLE WOMAN: THE MUSICAL Nov. 30 - Dec. 16. Next season will include MOON OVER BUFFALO, INTO THE WOODS, MEMPHIS, DISASTER (yay!) and MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Cabaret seating is available and I highly recommend it.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle.She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.