Spring stage production in rehearsal for April 18 opening

The curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, in Penn State New Kensington's Forum Theatre.

“Bat Boy: The Musical”
8:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20, Forum Theatre

The cast of the spring stage production, "Bat Boy: The Musical" is currently in rehearsal at Penn State New Kensington. The three shows performed by the Penn State Players are set for 8 p.m., April 18 to 20, in the campus' Forum Theatre.

Bill Mitas directs the musical 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 writing the score of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”

 “After a few revisions, the cast has been finalized, and the students are working hard with lines," said Mitas, adjunct instructor in theatre at the campus. "They will be ready for show time."

The cast includes Chris Capo, Emily Urbaniak, Matt Mlynarski, Kylee Danko, Meghan Marsh, Mike Hamilla, Vinnie Palombo, Brenna Burns, Jennifer Deblasio, Beth Minda, Megan Henderson, Aaron Shreve, and Patrick Lang.

The crew features: Megan Henderson, choreographer; Taryn Clopton, stage manager; Monica Bell, props; Rebecca McGowan, Michael Toney, lights;  Simrit Singh, sound; Palombo, Lang, Clopton, Capo, Singh and Toney, set crew.

A cult classic, "Bat Boy" opened off-Broadway in 2001 and moved to London’s West End and the Edinburgh Festival before entering regional theatre in 2002. The award-winning play is set in the fictional town of Hope Falls, West Virginia.

Tickets for the production are $8 for students and $12 for the general public and are available by calling 724-334-6062.

“BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL”
CAST AND CREW

CHRIS CAPO, Edgar, the bat boy
EMILY 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-election
MIKE HAMILLA, Rick Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager, boyfriend of Shelley, son of Mrs. Taylor
VINNIE PALOMBO, Ron Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager,.
BRENNA BURNS, Ruthie Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager, daughter of Mrs. Taylor
JENNIFER 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/Barbecue
PATRICK LANG, Doctor, rancher

Director - WILLIAM R. MITAS
Choreographer - MEGAN HENDERSON
Stage Manager - TARYN CLOPTON
Props - MONICA BELL
Lights - REBECCA McGOWAN, MICHAEL TONEY
Sound - SIMRIT SINGH

Set Crew - PATRICK LANG, VINNIE PALOMBO, SIMRIT SINGH, TARYN CLOPTON, CHRIS CAPO, MICHAEL TONEY