Hotchkiss Dramatic Association brings "Bat Boy: The Musical" to Walker Auditorium for 2012 Fall Musical
Posted October 17, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
How many American musicals to date have been inspired by a tabloid newspaper article? There is only one, and it is Bat Boy: The Musical. The Hotchkiss Dramatic Association’s fall production, directed by Emmett Zackheim, Instructor in Theatre and English, will be presented Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 8,9,10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Walker Auditorium at The Hotchkiss School. The November 11 matinee will benefit the Connecticut Blood Bank.
Bat Boy: The Musical (book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe) is the story of a half-bat, half-boy found living in a cave near the fictional town of Hope Falls, West Virginia. Bat Boy is taken in by the local veterinarian and his family, where he learns to speak, dress, and behave like a human; he even earns a high school equivalency diploma. Even so, fitting in is not easy for Bat Boy, who is feared by others.
“Bat Boy manages to be both silly and serious at the same time,” says director Emmett Zackheim. “In this unorthodox show, a truly ridiculous premise (along with clever comedy) serves as the foundation for a meaningful story about acceptance.” The story contains elements from a wide variety of genres including romance, horror, melodrama, and satire, while the musical score draws from styles including gospel, rap, and rock. “Unsurprisingly,” the director adds, “the cast fell in love with the music on day one; they seemed to greet each new song with more enthusiasm than the last. Our music director, Danny Musha, has done a great job. The cast sounds fantastic.” Cheryl Swift, whose recent work at Hotchkiss includes A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Beauty and the Beast, returns as choreographer.
The orchestra will feature an electric guitar, keyboards, drums, and electric bass. The set design is innovative as well, incorporating projections of newspaper headlines, landscapes, and more. Mr. Zackheim is delighted to be collaborating with Amanda Bohnsack, Associate Director of Admission and Director of Student Activities, whose original drawings will be a centerpiece of the design.
Tickets for Bat Boy: The Musical are $10, $5 for students and senior citizens. Cash or check only. Phone 860-435-3203 or buy at the door. The Hotchkiss School is located at 11 Interlaken Road in Lakeville, Connecticut; Walker Auditorium is located on the lower level of the main building. For more information on other arts events at The Hotchkiss School visit http://www.hotchkiss.org/arts or call 860-435-4423.
