The cast of Penn State New Kensington's spring stage production "Bat Boy: The Musical" has been finalized by director Bill Mitas. The three shows performed by the Penn State Players are set for 8 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, April 18 to 20, in the Forum Theatre.
Mitas, instructor in theater arts at the campus, is directing the comedy/horror play that is based on a 1992 story in the tabloid Weekly World News about a human-like creature, half-boy, half-vampire bat, found living in a cave. He is given succor by the Parkers, who become his adoptive family. Trying to fit into society, the bat boy faces prejudice, violence and jealousy. The book was written by Kaythe Farley and Brian Flemming with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe, who is best known for the writing the score of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”
For the campus version, Chris Capo won the role as Edgar, the bat boy, who was discovered by three teenage spelunkers. Emily Urbaniak was tapped to play Meredith Parker, the foster mother who takes the bat boy into her home, and Matt Mlynarski plays Thomas Parker, the town veterinarian and husband of Meredith, who is jealous of Edgar. Capo had a feature role in the campus’ fall play, “The Glass Menagerie.”
The supporting cast includes Kylee Danko, Meghan Marsh, Mike Hamilla, Vinnie Palombo, Brenna Burns, Jennifer Deblasio, Beth Minda, Megan Henderson, Aaron Shreve and Patrick Lang.
The production crew is a hybrid of college students and New Kensington Civic Theatre members. Mitas utilized the onstage and backstage talents of 10 campus students supplemented by three theatre majors from Seton Hill University and four members of the Civic Theatre, one of the oldest, continuously performing, all volunteer community theatres in the country.
“Rehearsals have been going really well as cast and crew are working hard and having lots of fun,” said Mitas, who holds a master’s degree in entertainment technology from Carnegie Mellon University. “It’s a great mix with lots of talent."
A cult classic, "Bat Boy" opened off-Broadway in 2001, and moved to London’s West End and the Edinburgh Festival before entering regional theater in 2002. The award-winning play is set in the fictional town of Hope Falls, W.Va.
Tickets for the production are $5 for students and $8 for the general public, and are available by calling 724-334-6062.
For more information, contact Mitas at wrm14@psu.edu.
“Bat Boy: The Musical” Cast and Crew
CHRIS CAPO, Edgar, the bat boyEMILY URBANIAK, Meredith Parker, wife of Thomas.MATT MLYNARSKI, Thomas Parker, town veterinarian, husband of Meredith.KYLEE DANKO, Shelley Parker, rebellious daughter of Thomas and Meredith, girlfriend of Rick, falls in love with Edgar.MEGHAN MARSH, Sheriff Reynolds, local sheriff, coming up for re-electionMIKE HAMILLA, Rick Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager, boyfriend of Shelley, son of Mrs. TaylorVINNIE PALOMBO, Ron Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager,.BRENNA BURNS, Ruthie Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager, daughter of Mrs. TaylorJENNIFER DEBLASIO, Mrs. Taylor, overprotective, aggressive mother.BETH MINDA, Maggie, mayor of Hope Falls.MEGAN HENDERSON, Pan, Greek satyr-god of nature.AARON SHREVE, Rev. Billy Hightower, preacher and faith healer who holds a travelling Tent Revival/BarbecuePATRICK LANG, Doctor, rancher
Director - WILLIAM R. MITAS Choreographer - MEGAN HENDERSONStage Manager - TARYN CLOPTONProps - MONICA BELL Lights - REBECCA McGOWAN, MICHAEL TONEYSound - SIMRIT SINGHSet Crew - PATRICK LANG, VINNIE PALOMBO, SIMRIT SINGH, TARYN CLOPTON, CHRIS CAPO, MICHAEL TONEY