Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Board of Directors Advisory Board Darrell W. Pierce - President Anne Bauman - Chair Paul Bianchi -Vice President Robin Barlow Fred Patterson - Treasurer John Eman Linda Borgsdorf- Secretary Robert Green Linda Carriere DavidKeren Paul Cumming Ron Miller Caitlin Frankel Rowe Judy Dow Rumelhart Douglas Harris Ingrid Sheldon Thorn Johnson Gayle Steiner Nathaniel Madura Keith Taylor Lindsay McCarthy Sheryl Yengera Teresa Myers Matthew Rogers Ann Arbor Civic Theatre is proud to honor Helen Mann Andrews, Burnette Staebler, and Phyllis Wright for their years of service on the Advisory Board. Suzi Peterson Emily Rogers Cassie Mann Managing Director Volunteer Coordinator Program Director 322 WEST ANN STREET ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48104 box office (734) 971-2228 office (734) 971-0605 WWW.A2CT.ORG Ann Arbor Civic Theatre Opening night January 10,2008 Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe Directed by Timo Anderson Music Direction by Choreographed by Brian E. Buckner Rachel Francisco Assistant Director Producer Stage M anager Jeff Steinhauer Matthew Steward Jeff Steinhauer Sound Designer Set Designer Lighting Designer Bob Skon Bill Anderson Tiff Crutchfield Properties Costumer Properties Thalia Schramm HankNaasko Jenn Smith House Manager Projections/Film H air Design Tanya Dabney Jason Smith Carla Agius Publicity Photographer Graphic Designer Program Layout Tom Steppe Erik Wright-Olsen Nicolas N. Owen Produced through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. 440 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016 www.dramatists.com From the Director I first got to see this show on September 1st, 2001 in New York City. We stumbled across this off-the-wall, off-off-Broadway show that had available tickets, and wow, are we glad it did! The show I saw that night entertained, demanded thought, and had us falling out of our chairs with laughter all in the first act. The second half only got better. I kept talking about it to various people at A2CT and they all agreed-- "Propose it then!" Finally, Rachel got tired of hearing me talk about it and I did. The script, which I remembered in small bits and pieces, showed more humor and depth each time I read it and envisioned it onstage. It was priceless to see the cast with the same laughs, squished faces, and utter disbelief that I remembered from my first time watching the show. I realize now that this show's satirical wisdom appeals to anyone who has ever been singled out as "different"-- by religion, sexual orientation, race, creed, class, high school monikers of"brace-face" or "jock;' or even in our case, as a species. Everyone at some point in their life succumbs to the urge to fit in, using covers like common interests, clothing, friends, jobs, cars, or substances to hide their real person in order to blend in. Edgar's journey in Bat Boy to accept himself and the animal deep inside may seem far-fetched, but in reality, it's something everyone can embrace. Musical theater tends to allow us to leave with a happy ending, a spring in our step and a catchy tune in our head. This show may not come in such a neat little package, but it's a gift that will be unforgettable for audiences. Timo Anderson, Director The Director would like to thank. .. Jeff, for assuming this show would never happen. Jason, you are a miracle worker ... even better than advertised. Brian, for making beautiful music, and for finding a perfect "Singing Man': Rachel, my love, my sounding board, and creator of thoroughly beautiful movement. Tiff, red and blue do make a entertaining purple don't they... Mark, for doing seemingly everything. Neil, need a projector, got a projector. Need a computer, got it. .. perfect! Thorn, for making the set happen. (Wendy, my appreciation is boundless.) Dad, for wasting a Monday with me and getting something done after all. Mom, for all the extra time you spent with Annika. c 0 M p A N y voted ohe of "the wot"Ld 's to~ 2.5 food mat"kets ,, b!f food & wihe great tastes available everyday from 7am to 1Opm We'll bring the Zingerman's Experience to you. Zingerman's Catering specializes in combining the most exciting and flavorful food we could unearth, guaranteed to make your meeting or party the talk of the town! www.zingermanscatering.com LINZI JOY BOKOR (Meredith Parker) is de­ The Cast lighted to be part of this amazing cast of Bat ANDY BALLNIK (Bat Boy) is thrilled to be a Boy, which marks her third production with part of Bat Boy. Other A2CT shows have includ­ A2CT. You may have seen her previously in ed- Hair, The Full Monty, Joseph and the Amaz­ A2CT's The Full Monty or The Best Little Whore­ ing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Music Man, On the house in Texas. Some of her favorite past credits Town, among others. Andy also directed The include Momma Rose in Gypsy, Aldonza in The Nerd for A2CT and will direct A Few Good Men Man of LaMancha and Audrey II in Little Shop later on this season. A graduate of The Ameri­ Of Horrors. Linzi would like to thank YOU, the can Musical and Dramatics Academy in NYC, theatre-goer for supporting community theatre, Andy is continuing his education at EMU, hop­ her fellow cast members for working so hard ing to teach and direct theatre professionally in to make tonight's show an amazing one, Timo the future. Congrats to the cast for a great show and the rest of the staff for the chance to play and thanks to his friends and family for all their such an wonderfully odd character, and mostly love and support. her mom and dad who are the two single most important people of her life. MARK F. BATELL {Mr. Dillon/Ensemble) Mark is delightfully surprised to be cast in his BRANDON CAVE (Ron Taylor) is an award­ first musical since his voice changed (in high winning actor from Ann Arbor, MI who has school40 years ago), and only his second show appeared in over 35 productions throughout for A2CT. Special thanks to Jeremy Salvatori southeastern Michigan. In addition to his act­ {Rick) for giving him the right notes to sing, his ing he has also produced and stage-managed for daughter Brittany who taught him the dances, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre and Impact Dance of and to Matt and Jeff for their continuing en­ University of Michigan. In 2003 he co-authored couragement. "I get by with a little help from and directed Super Heroes in Paradise a show my friends:' (John Lennon) designed for children in Whitmore Lake, MI. He is very excited to be working with such a KATHLEEN BEARDMORE (Lorraine) has wonderful group, and would like to thank Timo, appeared in several A2CT productions; most Rachel, and Brian as well as all his friends and recently in Cactus Flower (Stephanie), Sweet family. Charity (Ursula, ensemble) and The Full Monty (Vicki). Bat Boy the Musical is one of the funniest NEIL CLENNAN (Sheriff Reynolds) is excited and most unusual shows she's encountered and to be back on the stage after a 7 year absence. her first opportunity to sing "Kill him!" in per­ Past shows with A2CT include Brigadoon, The formance. She wishes to thank Timo, Rachel, Jeff Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, A Summer and Brian for this great experience. And, as ever, Share, and The Fantasticks. Other shows include thanks to her patient and loving partner, Bob. Scapino, Man of La Mancha, Pippin, Two by Two, and Into the Woods. Neil works as a com­ AMY BOGETTO-WEINRAUB {Maggie) is puter systems administrator at the University of delighted to be in this production of Bat Boy. Michigan's School of Art & Design. Neil would Other A2CT productions include Evita, Tommy, like to thank his wife, Martha, for her love and Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, and The support. Nerd. Lots of thanks to Timo, Rachel, Brian, and Jeff for casting Amy in her most interesting role COREY DAVIS (Ensemble) is a freshman The­ to date, and to the cast for working so well to­ atre: Design and Production major at the Uni­ gether. Much love and thanks to Jonathan for versity of Texas. Hailing from Sanger, Texas he his support, and much love and thanks to Ava is proud to be a in his first production with Ann for letting Mommie go to rehearsal every night. Arbor Civic Theatre. In the past Corey has been in YAGMCB- Charlie, Blood Brothers- Mickey, recently seen in Destination Theatre's Annie Noises Off- Garry/Roger and many other pro­ as Miss Hannigan! She would like to tell Andy ductions. Corey would like to thank his Mama that she is so proud of him! You are amazing! and Papa for sending him into the tundra for She also sends a shout out to Roy and Joy for such great experiences and his Strauss family being Flo's friends! As usual she sends her love for being AMAZING!!! to her family, friends, March Sisters, and babies (her pets). ERIN DONEVAN (Shelley Parker) This is Erin's first show with Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, and she MICHAEL RANDOLPH GREEN (Mrs. Tay­ is beyond excited to be working with such a tal­ lor/Reverend Billy Hightower) has pursued a ented group of people. She would like to thank BM in Jazz Studies emphasis in Voice at West­ Timo, Jeff, Rachel, and Brian for the amazing ern Michigan University. In his time there he opportunity to play such a fun role; the entire has performed in productions of Marriage of cast for being so welcoming, fun, and incredibly Figaro and The Magic Flute as well as sung in talented; and her mom for signing the permis­ Gold Company.