"Bat Boy: The Musical" - by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe - Umbrella Arts Center (Concord, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Don't deny your beast inside."
- ("Company") / Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe
Umbrella Arts Center
Presents
"BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL"
Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming
Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe
Licensed under agreement with Weekly World News
Producing Artistic Director Brian Boruta
Directed by Jeremy Johnson
Music Director Jeff Kimball
Choreographer Briana Fallon
Cast Includes: Johnny Shea* as “Edgar/ Bat Boy,” Amy Barker* as “Meredith Parker,” Brian Demar Jones* as “Dr. Thomas Parker,” Michelle Moran as “Shelley Parker,” Will McGarrahan* as “Sheriff Reynolds,” Thomas Vice as “Rick Taylor, others,” Holly B. Faust as “Ron Taylor, others,” Vanessa Calantropo as “Ruthie Taylor, others, U/S Meredith,” Maria Sylvia Norris* as “Mrs. Taylor, Reverend Hightower, others,” Kai Clifton as “Pan, others,” Max Connor as “U/S Edgar, Rick, others,” Emma Na-yun Downs as “U/S Shelley, Ruthie, others,” Tony Wallace-Light as “U/S Sheriff, Rev. Hightower,” Nora Sullivan A “U/S Ron, Pan, others.”
Additional Creative Team:
Technical & Production Manager - Carlie Nieman; Stage Manager - Vanessa C. Hart*; Assistant Stage Manager - Zoe Pepin*; Lighting Design - SeifAllah Salotto-Cristobal+; Sound Design - Alex Berg; Scenic Design - Cameron McEachern+; Costume Design - Meagan Bellao; Properties/Set Dressing Design - Sarabeth Spector; Intimacy Director - Ellen Waylonis; Fight Director - Robert St. Laurence; Dance Captain - Maria Sylvia Norris*; Fight Captain - Johnny Shea*; Audio Op/A1 - Sarah Hobbs Butler; A2/Wardrobe - Miranda Louf; Wardrobe Supervisor - Tree Brock; Wigs - Cara Guappone, Wig Design & Rentals; Scenic Charge - Page Evett; Executive Director, Umbrella Arts - Eileen Williston; EDI Consultants - Kira Troilo, Ariel Welch; Company Manager - Cathie Regan.
*Indicates the actors and stage managers as members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
**Indicates the choreographer as a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
+Indicates the scenic and lighting designers represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
Performances:
September 25, 2026 through November 8, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Main Stage Theater THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA. 01742
TICKETS:
For tickets or more information, contact # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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Swooping into its 2026-2027 season, Umbrella Arts Center offers unto us "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" and it is certainly a show that will sink its teeth into you.
In the emotional story, the demonized "BAT BOY" yearns for acceptance from society, only to encounter distrust, hatred and rage from those that fear him.
Featuring a book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe, "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" is inspired by a 1992 Weekly World News story about a half-boy, half-bat, dubbed "BAT BOY," who grew up living in a cave.
The musical, as staged for Umbrella Arts by director Jeremy Johnson with music director Jeff Kimball and choreographer Briana Fallon, differs in a few of its plot details from the Weekly World News portrayal of BAT BOY.
"BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" debuted on Halloween, 1997 prior to moving to Off-Broadway and London's West End.
The musical opened Off-Broadway in 2001 receiving very positive reviews and winning awards for best Off-Broadway musical including the Lucille Lortel Award, two Richard Rodgers Awards and an Outer Critics Circle Award; and later, in 2004, it opened in London’s West End, to less than favorable reviews and closing in 2005.
However, the show has since gained a staunch cult following that simply adores every goofy, off-beat moment of this musical.
Enduring multiple revisions of the score, in 2025, the show was revived for a limited engagement at New York City Center.
While "BAT BOY" may come across as high camp, with some likening it to a poor man's "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" or the “Batman ‘66” of stage musicals, there is an underlying subtext that effectively deals with more grounded central themes of empathy, social acceptance and racism.
(Photo: Amy Barker as “Meredith Parker” with Brian Demar Jones as “Dr. Thomas Parker” in a moment from "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
As the musical begins, we land in the fictional town of Hope Falls, West Virginia.
Three teenage sibling cave explorers, Ron (Holly B. Faust), Rick (Thomas Vice) and Ruthie Taylor (Vanessa Calantropo), discover startled mutant dweller "BAT BOY" (Johnny Shea) who attacks Ruthie.
As is the case with several members of the Umbrella Arts ensemble, Faust, Vice, and Calantropo are exceptionally versatile in portraying multiple characters, occasionally at a comical pace.
Rick and Ron capture "BAT BOY" and bring him into the town jail, along with Ruthie, who is taken to the hospital.
Handed over to Sheriff Reynolds (Will McGarrahan), the frightened "BAT BOY" is brought to the home of local veterinarian Dr. Thomas Parker (Brian Demar Jones).
As the voice of civic authority, McGarrahan as Sheriff Reynolds is a grounded, comedic anchor who seems to not want any harm to come to the "BAT BOY."
Since the vet is out of town, his wife, Meredith (Amy Barker), agrees to take him in an act of "Christian Charity" (as sung by the cast).
As Meredith, Barker gives a fine, empathetic performance as the nurturing mother figure to "BAT BOY," quickly becoming the emotional core of the entire story.
(Photo: Amy Barker as “Meredith Parker” with Johnny Shea as “Edgar/ Bat Boy” and Michelle Moran as “Shelley Parker” in a moment from "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Meredith's daughter Shelley (Michelle Moran) initially rejects "BAT BOY," frustrating Meredith who instead embraces their new “tenant” christening him with the name “Edgar.”
Moran as Shelley gives a transformative performance as we see Shelley soon grow as a person, moving from superficial teen into compassionate young woman.
Moran is also a powerful vocalist and gives some of the best solo moments in the musical.
Shelley's boyfriend Rick, still angered by Edgar’s attack on his sister, threatens to kill Edgar with a knife but is stopped by Meredith.
Even as her husband returns and attempts to euthanize Edgar, he is thwarted by Meredith, who tells him she plans to educate Edgar to see if he can be accepted into society.
As Thomas, Brian Demar Jones gives a passionate performance, walking an emotional tightrope between Thomas wanting to do the right thing, yet continuously stumbling off the tightrope, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
(Photo: Maria Sylvia Norris as "Reverend Hightower" in a moment from "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
Meredith’s efforts to educate Edgar appear to work as Edgar quickly becomes a voracious student who obtains a college-level education within (let’s say) weeks…and yet, he still maintains an equally voracious appetite…for blood.
The arrival of this "BAT BOY" happens to coincide with the Mayor of Hope Falls (Holly B. Faust) and local ranchers who are faced with the threat of their cattle mysteriously dying.
The townspeople still perceive Edgar as a threat and do not want him present at a local revival meeting.
Edgar, attempting to find his own faith, convinces the Parkers to let him go to the revival.
Dr. Parker becomes jealous of Meredith and Edgar, plotting to disgrace Edgar and convince the town to destroy him.
At the revival meeting, we are introduced to the radiant Reverend Hightower (in a show-stopping performance by Maria Sylvia Norris) offering a faith healing song "A Joyful Noise" to the congregation.
Edgar pleads his case to the Reverend and townspeople – but, just as things begin to seem promising, they quickly turn grave for Edgar.
The second act of the show is full of many bizarre (and I do mean BIZARRE) twists and turns, with some “ultimate reveals” seen coming as early as the first act, but these are entertaining, nonetheless.
(Photo: The CAST of "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
"BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" is an acquired taste and certainly not going to be to everyone’s liking, but those who do like the show embrace it enthusiastically.
There are many noteworthy tunes in the show but, unless you are a diehard fan of the show already, it is not likely you’ll find yourself walking out with that hummable “earworm” tune stuck in your head.
Again, if you like the story, you’ll probably like the songs – but, if you don’t, then simply enjoy the performances which never falter.
That said, at the September 27th Umbrella Arts Center performance of "BAT BOY," there were several “pitchy” moments during the ensemble musical numbers, while individual solos were simply incredible.
The sets and technical effects used throughout the Umbrella Arts Center production are simply spectacular and all scene changes moved fluidly throughout.
If one must pick a singular reason to attend this show, though, it would be because of the masterful performance given by Johnny Shea as Edgar (aka "BAT BOY") who not only is in complete command of the character, but he is also blessed with a gorgeous singing voice.
(Photo: Michelle Moran as “Shelley Parker” in "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" by Brian Flemming, Keythe Farley and Laurence O'Keefe, now playing at Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. until November 8, 2026. Photo Credit: Jim Sabitus)
"BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" will hover around Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. through November 8th, 2026.
Coming up next at Umbrella Arts Center will be Lauren Gunderson's "I AND YOU" which runs from October 9th through November 22nd, 2026.
For tickets or more information, contact Umbrella Arts Center at # 978-371-0820 or visit www.theumbrellaarts.org
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Half-bat, half-boy, ripped from the tabloid headlines and thrust into the spotlight!
In the camp horror comedy "BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL" from Brian Flemming and Keythe Farley, a misunderstood monster seeks a place to belong.
Taken in by a veterinarian, endeared to his adopted sister Shelly, and reviled by the locals, mild-mannered “Edgar” searches fiercely for a place he can truly be himself.
Set to an eclectic pop-rock score by Laurence O'Keefe ("Legally Blonde," "Heathers the Musical"), Edgar’s wild journey is a hilarious satire and an offbeat fable for the outsider in all of us.
ABOUT THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER
THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER enriches lives and builds a vibrant and inclusive community through the arts. THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations.
40 Stow Street
Concord, MA. 01742
# 978-371-0820
