Stage Takes

I have long been a fan of the work by Open Fist Theater Company and their productions are getting better and better. Bat Boy The Musical is one of the best shows I have seen all year, so far, and all of the rave reviews I have been are correct. Bat Boy is a musical written by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming with music by Laurence O’Keefe. If you had the chance to see Amber Ruffin’s Bigfoot! The Musical some years ago, then this show is of similar style. Knowing nothing, I thought it would be a prequel to Batman, but it’s actually about a humanoid bat who was found in a cave by 3 teenagers. Themes of discrimination and a battle of self are heavy in the plot. He becomes adopted by a family and learns to fit in with society while wrestling with his shadow self.

I loved how immersed the actors were in their roles. As an audience member, I lost myself in the world created by the director, Pat Towne. Loved the choreography which actors added their own flavors to the various characters. Loved the live music that balanced out perfectly with the performers. This is such a good ensemble that I feel like it would be antithetical to name any specific actor, as all actors stood out.

Bat Boy plays through April 14th at the Open Fist in Atwater Village Theater. You don’t want to miss this!