Alan Naylor and Esther Covington in "Bat Boy: The Musical" at 1st Stage. Photo by Teresa Castracane/Courtesy of 1st Stage
Where and When
"Bat Boy: The Musical" at 1st Stage, 1524 Spring Hill Road, Tysons. Performances now through June 22. Fridays 8 p.m., Saturdays 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets: $32, Students & Military: $15, Senior (age 65): $27. Call 703-854-1856 or visit http://www.1ststage…">www.1ststagespringh…
There is a charming, big-hearted, rock musical with a message of tolerance and acceptance having a highly appealing production at Tysons' 1st Stage. It is "Bat Boy: The Musical." No, not a baseball batboy. Rather a special boy named Edgar, with pointy ears and some fangs in a family with many secrets to be exposed.
Edgar wants to be accepted to be just one of the townsfolk in a sleepy West Virginia town. As he sings, "I know you hate me. But if you could only see me the way I see all of you. Look at all your faces...you're all so beautiful. I envy you your lives."
Sound silly? Not at all. What starts tongue-in-cheek becomes a production with a deep dive into morality, with rock music and a lively cast as its energy sources. With crisp, confident direction by Steven Royal, dynamic musical direction by Walter Bobby McCoy, vigorous movements choreographed by Pauline Grossman and a nifty set by Adam Koch with popping lighting by David Sexton, "Bat Boy: The Musical" is a tidy production about life as an outsider.
The show has a catchy pop score of about 25 songs, with straight-forward lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and a graphic-novel type story by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming. What makes the production fly is the vigorous, aiming-to-please, tuneful voices the ten-member cast brings with their wide-eyed sincerity and bright-eyed looks.
There are a number of cast stand-outs starting with the pocket-sized Jimmy Mavrikes as Bat Boy. Beyond just a good voice, he brings an understated sense of wonder and sympathy to his character. Alan Naylor does well as Dr. Parker, a character with plenty of villainous thoughts and deeds. Esther Covington is admirable as Meredith Parker, a wife and protective mother hiding secrets.
Marie Rizzo sparkles as daughter Shelly Parker, a head-strong teenager with a heart just waiting to open to love. With delightful flair, Dani Stoller plays Mrs. Taylor a wise-cracking, vivacious mother with an E-cigarette between her fingers. They are joined by a colorful cast of eccentric, fizzy townsfolk
"Bat Boy: The Musical" is a witty musical tale about prejudice. It has a deep heart. It may be a bit of irreverent taste for some. For others it will be a cheeky pleasure with an evocative ending about a special being; a kid who only wanted to be loved and fit in.