Scary, Funny 'Bat Boy: The Musical' WHS's Latest Hit Show

The Westfield High School Theater Department, already a regional powerhouse for local musical theater performances and competitions, has expanded their repertoire once again with another funny, quirky, unpredictable new show.

WHS cast and crew have taken a new direction and this Patch reviewer urges everyone to catch Bat Boy: The Musical, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The show was first presented off Broadway in 1997 and has become an underground hit for its story and great music.

Daniel Devlin, who directs the WHS theater program said any theater buff will be able to “enjoy a musical like Bat Boy that combines, many great song themes. Our sophisticated audience will recognize other shows as one of Bat Boy’s many roots from the flat-out scary with dark plots, bullying, teen angst and a combination of Book of Mormon, Avenue Q or Sweeny Todd. These are all very relevant to our daily lives and unlike film or TV, theater is often unique and ground-breaking.”

Bat Boy is funny but unpredictable since it is touching and really about the plight of a half-man, half child-hybird, Edgar, who appears, setting off a wide range of reactions in the local town near a cave where he’d been living. It touches on another common theme—how society treats an outsider.

The role of Edgar is played by Matthew Lynn. Geoffrey Ko and Isabelle Smelkinson play local veterinarian Dr. Thomas Parker and his wife, Meredith, who take Edgar into their home and attempt to civilize him. Michaela Tropeano plays the Parkers' rebellious teenage daughter, Shelley, who ends up falling in love with Edgar. 

“Like many famous musical classics, the history of musical theater ranges from romance to drama, adventure, humor and very frequently the combination of it all,” said Devlin. "Shows like Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Oklahoma, The King and I, West Side Story, Carousel, and many others, like Rent, reflect important themes we may cope with in our daily lives. And, of course many of the WHS players' skills are superb, inspiring music and dance that entertain unlike any other medium.”

The one thing that is found across all forms of theater and musical talent is dedication. It doesn’t matter if you are a cast member, a chorus dancer or a stagehand, or a tree in the first grade play. Each see him or herself as an essential part of a cog in a wheel, noted Devlin, who has been building the theater program keeps looking forward scouting new talent.

Devlin and the cast carefully talked over Bat Boy. After all, he points out, it was a much different show initially when it debuted. It is and was a somewhat unknown show with only 10 actors when it debuted, yet still elaborate. Many of the cast “doubled” and took women’s parts. WHS has no shortage of actors and technical support—more than 55 students are mounting this show. 

In addition to the leads, the production also features Will Cary, Allie Hecht and Jack Ritter as Rick, Ruthie and Ron Taylor, the three local teenagers who first discover the Bat Boy; Megan Mulrooney plays their mother, Mrs. Taylor, who leads a crusade against Edgar. Fraser Weist stars as Sheriff Reynolds, Taylor Jackson as Rev. Billy Hightower, and Jack Mustard as the Greek god Pan. 

Maggie Tanji plays Lorraine, and is also the show's dance captain. 'Bat Boy: The Musical' also features Nicole Zimmermann as Maggie; Jackie Daaleman as Daisy; Jack Venezia as Mr. Dillon, Frank Guerriero as Bud, Robert Romano as Ned, J.D. Kelly as Roy, Dan Connolly as Clem; Colin Barry as a doctor, and Michael Poyntz as "The Institute Man." 

Ensemble members include Marissa Alvarez, Elena Arida, Megan Ariola, Sarah Boyle, Catherine Bruno, Bianca Buecklers, Celia Childs, Daniel Coelho, Claire Dorwart, Lauren Echausse, Alex Frisch, Marisa Garrity, Liz Griesmer, Victoria Guerriero, Madeline Hudelson, Christopher Ick, Jack Kirkland, Michael Kirkland, Katherine Ko, Caity Meixner, Julian Mone, Jeremias Olivera, Abbie Paone, Megan Pinna, Molly Prybylski, Madeleine Rosenthal, Kim Roth and Jessica Zimmermann. 

This production's musical director is John Brzozowski, Director of Choral Music at WHS; music is performed by student musicians. WHS art teacher Roy Chambers is the advisor for the student set design team.

Bat Boy is thoroughly enjoyable and the cast and crew's hard work shows. Tech-savvy students have created elaborate sets and sound effects. While it seems that many students who live on Twitter might pick these skills up easily, according to Devlin the students are “less afraid of technology but there is still a gigantic learning curve."

Of the actors and crew who will graduate this June, 11 will be headed for college and theater programs.

Seating for 'Bat Boy: The Musical' can be reserved at $12 each by emailing WHStickets@Westfieldnjk12.org or calling 908-884-1866. Because
Westfield High School shows often sell out, advanced purchases are recommended; tickets not sold in advance will be available for sale at the door on the evening of the performance.

Please note that some of the show's content and imagery, although comedic and intended as a nod to several classic "B" horror films, may be inappropriate for younger children.