Aug - Fullerton Observer

AUGUST 2010 THEATER
BAT BOY – The Musical
Bat Boy—The Musical with story and
book by Keythe Farley and Brian
Flemming and music and lyrics by
Laurence O;Keefe revolves around tolerance
and love. Can people learn to tolerate
someone who is very different from
them? Can the power of love overcome
intolerance?
A strange boy with pointy ears is found
by three local youths exploring an underground
cave. Both parties are startled. The
boy bites one of the girls, there is a struggle
and the youths subdue him and finally
bring him to the surface. Bat Boy not
only looks different but does not speak.
All he can do is make squeaking sounds
and he is extremely agitated. He is finally
put in a cage and sent Dr. Parker, the local
veterinarian.
The town is in an uproar; people are
both fascinated and repelled by him but
the overall consensus is “get rid of him.”
Meredith Parker, the doctor’s wife disagrees
and patiently works with Bat Boy,
showing him affection and teaching him
how to speak and behave properly. Her
daughter Shelley ultimately helps her
mother’s efforts.
THE WHO’S TOMMY
The Who’s Tommy at Chance Theater
is definitely a “Wow” performance. An
original album by The Who was reformatted
by Pete Townsend and Des McAnuff
into a rock musical and Director Oanh
Nguyen provides a fast-moving colorful
presentation that never loses energy
thanks to a very talented group of performers.
Its 1940, England is at war. Shortly after
Captain and Mrs. Walker marry, he is
called to duty. He is reported missing and
presumed dead and their son, Tommy, is
born in 1941. Four years later, Captain
Walker is liberated from a POW camp
and returns home to find his wife ready to
marry another man.; a fight erupts resulting
in the lover’s death. Tommy watched
everything in a mirror and when his parents
realize this, they tell Tommy he didn’t
see or hear anything and must never
speak about it.
Tommy, now deaf, dumb and blind, is
molested by his Uncle Ernie, bullied by
his cousin Kevin and subjected to numerous
tests by many doctors. In desperation
his parents seek help from the “Acid
Queen” but to no avail. Ultimately, doctors
determine that Tommy’s state is not
physical and only he can cure himself.
But Tommy can play pinball. He plays
brilliantly and becomes a pinball champion.
Tommy becomes a full-fledged
celebrity, making appearances in large
venues. People want to be like him but
when he insists that they should be themselves
rather than him, his followers
become disenchanted and leave him. All
through the years he has stood staring
before the mirror. Finally, in sheer frustra-
REVIEWED by Joyce Rosenthal
Bat Boy learns quickly and well but
unfortunately, the town still doesn’t like
him. Although he responded to the love
received from the doctor’s wife and
daughter, there is little tolerance in the
town for someone who looks so different,
who doesn’t “fit.” The play ultimately
takes a dark turn and there is no happy
ending.
Director Glendele Way-Aigle puts the
large cast (many actors play multiple
roles) with assorted degrees of talent
through their paces. Choreographers Tony
Viramontes and Kathleen Switzer plus the
live four piece band led by Bill Wolfe help
make this an interesting performance.
Steven Joseph Alcanter (Bat Boy),
Jessica Lynch (Shelley Parker) and
Kathleen Switzer (Meredith Parker) are
outstanding in their roles.
HUNGER ARTISTS
699-A S. State College, Fullerton
Tickets: 714-680-6803
www.hungerartists.com
•BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL plays
thru Aug 15.
•ROSENCRANTZ &
GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
opens Aug 27 - plays thru Sept 19
Mark Bartlett (Narrator/Tommy)
tion, Mrs. Walker shatters the mirror
which releases Tommy; he doesn’t revert
to his former self; but joyfully embraces
his family and his younger selves.
The acting, singing and dancing of the
entire cast is delightful to watch. Mark
Bartlett (Narrator/Tommy), Kevin
Cordova (Captain Walker), Paul
Hovannes (Cousin Kevin), Clarissa
Barton (Acid Queen), Brynne
McManimie (Sally), Cameron McIntyre
(Tommy age 4) and Seth Dusky (Tommy
age 10) are standouts
Also contributing to the show are
Allison Bibicoff (Choreography),Mike
Wilkins (Musical Direction), KC
Wilkerson (Lighting and Video Design),
Christopher Scott Murillo (Scenic
Design) and Casey Long (Sound Design).
CHANCE THEATER
5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills
Tickets: 714-777-3033
www.chancetheater.com
•THE WHO’S TOMMY - held over
thru Aug 15. Thurs & Fri at 8pm; Sat at
3pm & 8pm; Sun at 2pm and 7pm
MAVERICK THEATER
110 E. Walnut, Fullerton
Tickets: 714-526-7070
www.mavericktheater.com
•IMPROV SHIMPROV LATE NIGHT
COMEDY Every Friday & Saturday at 11pm.
www.improvshimprov.com $5
•THE HOBBIT THERE & BACK
AGAIN opens Aug. 6 - plays thru Sept 19
The Hobbit follows the adventures of Bilbo
Baggins many years before “The Lord of the
Rings” on his unexpected journey to reclaim
the treasure of the great dragon Smaug.
Nathan Makaryk directs this adaptation of
J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy novel. Fri at
8pm and Sat at 4pm and 8pm
STAGES THEATER
400 E. Commonwealth, Fullerton
Tickets: 714-525-4484
www.stagesoc.org
•SO ALONE, THE REUNION CON-
CERT opens Aug 6th - thru Aug 8. Music
from the story of New York Dolls frontman,
Johnny Thunders’ amazing talent and his
slow decline into the world of drugs which
eventually took his life. Songs from the show
with the original band members. Directed by
Mitch Faris. Fri & Sat at 8pm; Sun at 6pm
•OUR TOWN Aug 20 thru Sept 19
Our Town by Thorton Wilder, is directed
by Joe Parrish. "There's something way
down deep that's eternal about every human
being." Juxtaposed against the broader background
of time, social history, and the universality
of normal events, we are engaged in
the lives of two families as they journey
though daily life, love and marriage, death
and loss. Fri and Sat at 8pm; Sun matinee at
2pm
•TWISTED WINE opens Aug. 28 and
plays thru Sept. 18 Saturdays and Sundays at
5pm. Written by Jesse Glick and directed by
Casey Holm this is not your typical love
story. Robert and Sherry have an amazing life
together. They are young, intelligent, successful,
and don't have too much to worry
about... until their friend, Lisa, makes them
an offer that shakes up their world. Will love
conquer and defy the odds?
FULLERTON OBSERVER Page 13
FCLO MUSIC THEATRE
Plummer Auditorium,
Lemon & Chapman, Fullerton
Tickets: 714-879-1732
www.fclo.com
•THE RAT PACK REVISITED
opens Aug 20 - plays thru Aug 28. The
timeless music of Frank, Dean and
Sammy. Five performers and a live
band promise to deliver the music that
transcends generations.
Fullerton Children’s
Repertory on Tour
by Michelle Gottlieb
Many of you are aware of Fullerton
Children’s Repertory Theater, that
amazing company of children in fifth
through eighth grade that put on
incredible Broadway-style shows twice
a year, but did you know they also travel?
The FCRT company of 65 children
is presently finishing it’s run of Peter
Pan and preparing for their European
adventure. Every three years FCRT
goes on a Musical Tour. They left July
30th and will visit Switzerland, Austria,
and Germany, where they will perform,
and Italy. One of the most exciting performances
they will have on this trip
will be at the Swiss Music Festival.
FCRT has been going on tour
throughout its twenty eight year history.
Hundreds of children have had the
opportunity to not only perfect their
performing skills, but to see many parts
of the world. They have gone to
Europe, Australia and Japan. These
trips are very expensive with not only
the travel, but also the costumes and
props needed for the performance.
FCRT welcomes donations to help
defray the costs. Tax-deductible donations
can be sent to FCRT 2118
Smokewood Ave, Fullerton, CA
92831.