Bat Boy (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Laurence O'Keefe (Performer), Jeanne LeBlanc (Artist), Jim Pugh (Artist), Jeffrey Lang (Artist), Sean McCourt (Artist), Kerry Butler (Artist), Brian Flemming (Artist), Keythe Farley (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Laurence O'Keefe
• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: RCA Victor Broadway
• ASIN: B00005JXS7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,576 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #94 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I HAVE TO GET TO GOTHAM TO SEE THIS ONE!, September 2, 2001

By 

Robert Edler "Master Of Mystery" (Saint Louis, Missouri USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bat Boy (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

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.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hold Me BAT BOY, August 11, 2001

By 

T. J. Burzynski II "Theatre FREAK!!!" (Everett, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bat Boy (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mountain's No Place To Raise Cows..., October 13, 2004

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bat Boy (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I was fortunate enough to see "Bat Boy" live in Minneapolis, and just had to buy this delightful soundtrack featuring the New York company as a keepsake. The story, based on a character from the "Weekly World News," dramatizes the life of a bat-human hybrid in a story equal parts "My Fair Lady" and "Tommy." The musical numbers are universally well written, extremely witty, and the performers on the CD have excellent vocal range and intonation.

The plot of the play will reveal itself quickly by listening to the songs, several of which are real standouts. "Hold Me, Bat Boy" (and its reprise) is so catchy that you will not be able to get it out of your head for weeks. "Mrs. Taylor's Lullaby" is perhaps the most amusing song on the CD, while "A Home For You", "Comfort And Joy", and "Inside Your Heart" are great classical musical vehicles designed to show off vocal talent to excellent effect.

To my knowledge this is the only musical that is based on a recurring tabloid character (still featured in the "Weekly World News") and touches on themes of evil veterinarians and bovine plagues all the while maintaining a tongue-in-cheek ambience alongside excellent (yet austere) production values.

The music from "Bat Boy" is great, the cast is excellent, and the plot is a one of a kind. "Bat Boy" is a wonderful show to see live, and I recommend it and this CD to anyone, especially those with an offbeat sense of humor.