Cast selected for student production of 'Bat Boy’

Student stage production of "Bat Boy: The Musical" 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.

"Bat Boy: The Musical"
8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 7-9, Forum Theatre

Director: WILLIAM R. MITAS
Music Director: GEORGE PECORARA
Stage Manager: TARYN CLOPTON
Choreographer: JULIANN MOTOSICKY
Technical Director: TIM BORLAND

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-Saturday, Nov. 7-9, 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.”

The campus version was originally set for April but was postponed in the middle of opening night after the lead actor, Chris Capo, a chemical engineering major, fell backstage on stairs as he was heading to the changing room between scenes. The fall opened a gash on his head that required stitches and necessitated the postponement of show until the fall.

For the fall reprisal, Capo returns in the role as Edgar, the bat boy, who was discovered by three teenage spelunkers. Klase Danko 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.

The supporting cast includes Kylee Danko, Juliann Motosicky, Vinnie Palombo, Cosy Shoemaker, Sarah Mihelic, Beth Minda, Andrew Lee, Nicholas DeRiso and Ashley Mandich. The production crew is a hybrid of college students and New Kensington Civic Theatre members. Mitas utilizes the onstage and backstage talents of campus students supplemented by theatre majors from Seton Hill University, alumni and 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 theatre in 2002. The award-winning play is set in the fictional town of Hope Falls, West Virginia.

Tickets for the production are $5 for students and $8 for the general public and are available by calling 724-334-6062..

CAST AND CREW

Cast
CHRIS CAPO, Edgar, the bat boy
KLASE DANKO, 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.
JULIANN MOTOSICKY, Sheriff Reynolds, local sheriff, coming up for re-election and Pan, Greek satyr-god of nature.
VINNIE PALOMBO, Rick Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager, boyfriend of Shelley, son of Mrs. Taylor
CODY SHOEMAKER, Ron Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager,.
SARAH MIHELIC, Ruthie Taylor, rowdy, spelunking teenager, daughter of Mrs. Taylor
BETH MINDA, Mrs. Taylor, overprotective, aggressive mother
ANDREW LEE, Rev. Billy Hightower, preacher and faith healer who holds a travelling Tent Revival/Barbecue
NICHOLAS DERISO, Doctor, rancher

Crew
Lights - TIM BORLAND, ALEXANDER STACK, PATRICK LANG JR
Sound - SIMRIT SINGH, Alexander Stack, PATRICK LANG JR, TIM BORLAND
Set Crew - Patrick Lang Jr., Vinnie Palombo, Simrit Singh, Taryn Clopton, Chris Capo, Trevor Arnott, Drew Bertha, Ryan Ciuca, Nicholas Deriso, Nathan McDade, Auston O’Block, Alexander Stack, James Vought
Props - JAMES VAUGHT, Nathan McDade , Auston O’Block, Trevor Arnott, Drew Bertha, Ryan Ciuca

Orchestra
GEORGE PECORARA, piano conductor
DAVE MINDA, guitar
MATT PETERSON, bass
JOSH DICK, drums