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Well-Cast “Bat Boy” Makes a Strong Impression at New Line

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Bat Boy
Story and Book by Keythe Farley & Brian Flemming
Music & Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe
Directed by Scott Miller and Chris Moore
New Line Theatre
October 3, 2025

Brittany Kohl, Rafael DaCosta, Marlee Wenski
Photo by Chris Moore
New Line Theatre

It’s the time of year again, when many theatre companies turn toward weirder and/or spookier subject matter in the lead-up to Halloween. In that vein, New Line has chosen to revisit a show they’ve done before, the tabloid-inspired sci-fi/horror dark comedy Bat Boy, which provides a good opportunity for its cast and crew to ham up a storm while also conveying a warning message about jumping to judgment and blame of “outsiders” for the world’s problems. Under the direction of Scott Miller and Chris Moore, New Line has put a lot of energy into this production, which features striking production elements and a strong, enthusiastic cast of local performers.

I didn’t see the last New Line production of this show, but I’ve seen a production by another local company, so I was familiar with the plot and tone of the piece. The story, inspired by a fictional tabloid story featured in the infamous Weekly World News, focuses on a mysterious “Bat Boy” (Rafael DaCosta), who is encountered by three young siblings–Rick (Zachary Thompson), Ruthie (Chelsie Johnston), and Ron (Bee Mecey)– who are exploring a cave. When the Bat Boy bites Ruthie, the kids are frightened and call in the police, who seek to consult local veterinarian Dr. Thomas Parker (Ian McCreary) about what to do. The Bat Boy is then taken to Thomas’s house, where his wife Meredith (Brittany Kohl) and daughter Shelley (Marlee Wenski) meet the boy first, and while Shelley is creeped out at first, Meredith is more sympathetic, naming him “Edgar” and promising to take care of him and teach him manners. As the townspeople remain suspicious of Edgar, whom they regard as a “monster”, he soon reveals himself to be a quick learner and a sensitive soul under the tutelage of Shelley and Meredith It soon becomes clear, however that Thomas isn’t happy with the attentions Meredith is paying to the boy, and while Edgar seeks to win the town over with his personality, and he and Shelley grow ever closer, long-held secrets are about to be revealed, threatening the hopes, assumptions, and even the lives of the town, the family, and Edgar himself.

The whole tone is heightened and exaggerated, as is fitting for a story based on an over-the-top tabloid. It also calls to mind some of those old “B” grade sci-fi and horror films from the 50s and 60s, and the physical production at New Line helps that vibe along by means of Becca Rose Bessette’s well-crafted costumes, and the alternately humorous and haunting score ably played by a small but excellent band led by music director Jason Eschofen. There’s also a fairly minimalist but practical framework set by Rob Lippert that provides an ideal base for the action, aided by strong work from lighting designer Bradley Rohlf, and sound designer Ryan Day. 

Casting is key in this show, with the role of Edgar the Bat Boy being especially demanding physically, emotionally, and vocally. DaCosta is excellent in the role, with energy and stage presence at the forefront, creating a character who is at once sympathetic and awkwardly charming. His scenes with Kohl’s also strong Meredith and Wenski’s plucky Shelley are especially compelling. There’s also a fine turn from McCreary as Thomas, and a strong ensemble who mostly play various characters–Stephen Thompson, Mecey, Zack Huels, Ronmal Mottley, Zachary Thompson, and Johnston, with Huels a particular standout vocally in the “Children, Children” number in the second act. The overall darkly comic energy is handled with entertaining enthusiasm.

This is a show that has a lot of laughs and a few cringey horror moments, but also a palpable message warning against the dangers of judging people based on appearance and preconceived notions. It’s alternately creepy, haunting, offbeat, and deliberately sensationalist, with some crass humor and suggestive themes. Bat Boy strikes just the right tone for this time of year, and it’s a good start to a new season for New Line.

Cast of Bat Boy
Photo by Chris Moore
New Line Theatre

New Line Theatre is presenting Bat Boy at the Marcelle Theatre until October 25, 2025keth

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A Sensational “Bat Boy” at Stray Dog Theatre

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , on August 13, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Bat Boy: The Musical
Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe
Directed by Justin Been
Choreographed by Mike Hodges
Stray Dog Theatre
August 5, 2016

Corey Fraine, Angela Bubash, Dawn Schmid, Patrick Kelly Photo by John Lamb Stray Dog Theatre

Corey Fraine, Angela Bubash, Dawn Schmid, Patrick Kelly
Photo by John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre

Based on a story from an infamous tabloid, Bat Boy: The Musical is the darkly comic tale of a misfit child hidden away in a cave, and what happens when he’s discovered by the world around him. It’s a musical that started out off-Broadway and has become a modern cult classic, and it’s now on stage at Stray Dog Theatre. It’s the final show in STD’s current season, and it’s a well-cast, impressively staged production.

Stylistically, the show has essentially a sensationalist air, in the spirit of an over-the-top tabloid story like the one on which this is based. The influence of old-style “B” sci-fi movies is also apparent. Except for the main leads, most of the cast members play multiple roles of various ages and genders as needed. The title character (Corey Fraine) is originally found in a cave as two brothers and a sister (Michael A. Wells, Sara Rae Womack, and Lindsey Jones) are exploring. The initially wild “Bat Boy” quickly bites the sister, scaring the three siblings and sending their town into a panic of suspicion. The Sheriff (Josh Douglas) decides to take Bat Boy to the local veterinarian, Dr. Thomas Parker (Patrick Kelly), so the doctor can decide what to do, although he’s not home and his wife Meredith (Dawn Schmid) and daughter Shelley (Angela Bubash) meet Bat Boy first, and Meredith insists on taking the boy in and giving him a loving home, eventually persuading her reluctant husband to go along with her plan. Bat Boy is soon re-christened “Edgar” and, under the instruction of Meredith, Shelley, and Thomas, quickly reveals his intelligent and sensitive nature, although the townspeople still believe him to be a monster. Then there’s the matter of Thomas, who grows jealous of his wife’s attentions toward Edgar. As the townspeople gear up for a big tent revival meeting held by a visiting superstar evangelist (also Wells), Edgar and the various Parkers have dreams, concerns, and dilemmas to deal with.

The show has the exaggerated tone of tabloid television, with lots of comedy although there is also a tendency toward melodrama. The plot gets more and more sensationalized as it goes on, with elements of horror, forbidden love, “mad scientists”, religious themes involving conservative Christianity as well as ancient Greek mythology, and more thrown in for good measure. The “message” starts out being one of the need for acceptance and understanding of differences, but the themes get a little confused as the sci-fi horror elements are further developed. The music is a mixture of modern styles, with some memorable production numbers and ballads. The slightly over-exaggerated tone of most of the production is also portrayed well by means of Mike Hodges’s stylized choreography and Cara Hoppes McCulley’s colorful costumes, all staged on Robert J. Lippert’s detailed, evocative set.

The cast here is well-chosen and full of energy. Fraine as Edgar the Bat Boy gives a strong, sympathetic performance, with a strong voice and dynamic physicality. He’s well-matched by Bubash’s feisty Shelley and Schmid’s determined, slightly mysterious Meredith. Kelly is also excellent as the increasingly conflicted Thomas, and all four leads are in excellent voice. The rest of the ensemble, all playing multiple roles, is excellent as well, helping to maintain the comically melodramatic tone of the show.

Bat Boy’s  story may be on the ridiculous side, but it’s the kind of show that revels in its ridiculousness. With memorable characters, humor, and memorable music, it’s an entertaining and crowd-pleasing tale, very well told by this excellent cast and technical crew. It’s another memorable musical production from Stray Dog Theatre.

Cast of Bat Boy: The Musical Photo by John Lamb Stray Dog Theatre

Cast of Bat Boy: The Musical
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Stray Dog Theatre is presenting Bat Boy: The Musical at Tower Grove Abbey until August 20, 2016.

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