As far as we know, Bat Boy is the only musical to have been inspired by a headline in the Weekly World News tabloid. It tells the story of, well, a bat boy (complete with pointy ears) found in a West Virginia cave. Adopted... more » by the family of the town's vet, Edgar--as he comes to be known--actually goes on to acquire an education and even falls in love with the vet's daughter, all the while struggling to keep his blood thirst under control. Things end tragically--unsurprisingly, interspecies romance is still battling considerable prejudice in this country. Composer-lyricist Laurence O'Keefe came up with catchy songs that owe a lot to late 1960s and early '70s rock musicals such as Godspell and even The Rocky Horror Show. Skillfully walking the thin line between over-the-top camp and actual emotion, O'Keefe has written a wonderful little musical that cleverly deals with issues of difference and community values. As weird as it sounds, we foresee quite a future for Bat Boy in amateur productions. --Elisabeth Vincentelli« less
As far as we know, Bat Boy is the only musical to have been inspired by a headline in the Weekly World News tabloid. It tells the story of, well, a bat boy (complete with pointy ears) found in a West Virginia cave. Adopted by the family of the town's vet, Edgar--as he comes to be known--actually goes on to acquire an education and even falls in love with the vet's daughter, all the while struggling to keep his blood thirst under control. Things end tragically--unsurprisingly, interspecies romance is still battling considerable prejudice in this country. Composer-lyricist Laurence O'Keefe came up with catchy songs that owe a lot to late 1960s and early '70s rock musicals such as Godspell and even The Rocky Horror Show. Skillfully walking the thin line between over-the-top camp and actual emotion, O'Keefe has written a wonderful little musical that cleverly deals with issues of difference and community values. As weird as it sounds, we foresee quite a future for Bat Boy in amateur productions. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Robert Edler | Saint Louis, Missouri USA | 09/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I originally heard about a musical named BATBOY opening, I imagined something about baseball or caped crusaders. (Hey, I'm from Missouri so it is easier to imagine that than a musical based on a supermarket tabloid headline. ) Imgine my surpirse when I listen to the album. I LOVED IT! And after my terrible review of the new ROCKY HORROR SHOW, I find it amazing that I'm giving my highest rave reviews to BAT BOY. Especially, since BAT BOY is a direct decendant of ROCKY plus a little LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, HAIR and even some Lloyd Webber's original JOSEPH. Actually Laurence O'Keefe, the composer, has probably written the most varied musical score since JOSEPH. He doesn't miss a musical style and he uses them all well.The entire cast is first rate and production of the CD is outstanding. And be it musical comedy, tragedy or drama I recommend it to you whole heartedly! By the way, RCA (BMG) seems to be the only major recording company willing to take a chance on the musical theater these days, and they are to be commended for it. Now, if they'll only release a few more of the old shows whose masters they still have tucked away in their vaults."
Hold Me BAT BOY
T. J. Burzynski II | Everett, WA USA | 08/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD on a dare, and I couldn't be more happier with it. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. (Well actually I was expecting a very badly written musical that had songs that... well in a word....) This CD FAR exceeded my expectations and then some. It is a very thought provoking story about the pressures of being different. First they hate you, then they grow to love you then someone who you thought was your friend frames you for the murder of two people and eveyone wants you dead. Sound tricky? It's not. Especially the way Laurence O'Keefe blends many different style of music into one heck of a show. There is a very nice eclectic mix of styles on this CD. There is your Broadway Standard (Show You A Thing or Two), Country (Another Dead Cow, one of my personal favorites), Gospel Number (A Joyful Noise) and even an "I'm Going Crazy and Listening to the Voices In My Head" Song intermixed with the Act 1 Finale (Comfort and Joy.) If this doesn't make you want to click your mouse button and buy this CD, then I don't know what will. Oh yeah and by the way, I really like this and I think you will too."
Simply brilliant!
Harold Rundle | Okinawa, Japan | 10/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Bat Boy! To be honest, I'm quite obsessed. This is an amazing cast recording featuring amazing talents especially by Kerry Butler (Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors~revival) who can make anything funny. What I like most about Bat Boy though is that it knows it's totally insane and you'd never think it'd work but it does (and I must say, very successfully). With hilarious lyrics, fun, upbeat music, and an extraordinary cast, Bat boy is an intelligent show that's much better than most Broadway shows. It's just a shame it never made it to the Great White Way."
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emile Dawisha | USA | 06/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a fantastic musical! I have not seen it(yet!) but being a big fan of Kerry Butler, I bought the cd with the intention of listening to her first recording. Although I thought Kerry was fantastic, I couldn't get enough of the whole cd! It reminds me a little bit of "Rent" and "Rocky" and is so original and funny. The music is WONDERFUL-if you want to hear an impressive sample of rock, gospel, typical boradway showtunes, touching ballads and duets, and even a little rap, this is the cd for you. The songs I especially love are "Hold me bat boy," "Show you a thing or two," "Comfort and Joy," "Inside your heart," and "Three Bedroom House." THe leads are AMAZING!!!!!!! Buy this cd-you won't regret it!!!!!!!!"