Beams from glaring spotlights, scurrying members of the cast, and the loudly resounding notes from the electric guitar in the pit filled Cohen Auditorium at the rehearsal for "Bat Boy: the Musical." The play, set in rural West Virginia, tells the story of Edgar, a half-bat, half-boy creature found by three teens after a spelunking trip. Although the bat boy attacks one of the teens, a family decides to adopt the young boy and attempts to socialize him, despite the consternation of the town.
Following the examples of the angry mobs and the outcast monster in "Frankenstein" and the relationship and tragedy structure of Oedipus, "Bat Boy" unfolds into a comedy about seeking acceptance in the homogeneity of society. Director Katie Clark, a senior, called "Bat Boy" a "comedy that follows the structure of a Greek tragedy."
The remainder of the cast felt divided between these themes. Senior Brian Smith said the show's theme was best described as "tragedy unfolds, hilarity ensues," while junior Laura Willcox said that the play would not be "shoving morals down everyone's throat." Freshman Ned Berger, who stars as Edgar the Bat Boy, argued in favor of the tragedy of the show. He proclaimed that his character "wants to be part of society, but is an outcast" and noted that Bat Boy could be seen as a sort of Christ figure.
At its heart, however, the play seems to center on comedy and border on absurdity perhaps due to Clark's use of improv techniques while training the cast. Laura Willcox, who plays several roles in the show, praised this approach as helping her with character changes and teaching her to maintain the distinctness of each character.
Certainly the actors perform well in creating interesting characters: the drunk in the church scene (played by Smith), the hysterical Mrs. Taylor (sophomore Cassie Wallace), and the nonchalant Dr. Parker (sophomore Jonathan Carlson), who calmly proclaims that Bat Boy is on a rampage, all come across vividly to the audience.
Berger noted that the townspeople in particular use improv to maintain character conversation during scene changes. He noted that the techniques "helped with character development and getting into the mindset of the character."
The music styles of "Bat Boy" epitomize the different themes. A pit band of drums, a guitar, a piano and a keyboard help to incorporate these unique styles, which Clark calls "an opportunity for all-American music." The cast skillfully pulls off a kick-line number to represent Edgar's socialization, including the British accent he picks up from watching BBC tapes.
Act II opens with a gospel sung by the reverend (Willcox), complete with tambourine, hand-clapped rhythms and the cheerful refrain of "make a joyful noise my soul." Later, a rock song expresses Edgar's anger at finding out his origins, and Meredith, (senior Stacy Davidowitz), sings a slow duet with Dr. Parker to illustrate her acceptance of the truth. Though Berger has a strong background in theater, he called the music difficult.
Although the Tufts Community usually fills the intimate Balch Arena for plays, "Bat Boy" will be preformed in Cohen. Clark believes that the stage in Cohen allows for everything to work on a larger scale, and allows for more dramatic lighting. She noted the use of "stage pictures," where the arrangement of the characters on the stage portrays a message. Brian Smith commented that working in Cohen was a "completely different experience," and more of a challenge.
Music and lyrics by Lawrence O'KeefeDirected by Katie ClarkAt Cohen Auditorium March 29 - 318 p.m.-10 p.m.Tickets $7 at box office in Aidekman617-627-3493
