BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL to Present Street Theatre Company

Bringing back the audience favorite from one of Street Theatre's early seasons, Street Theatre Company closes its tenth season with the Off-Broadway cult classic BAT BOY. In this rock 'n' roll musical, a supernatural half bat/half boy discovered in a cave in West Virginia attempts to integrate into a narrow-minded town. He tries to fit in, but happiness is shattered as the town hears the shocking story of Bat Boy's unholy origin.

BAT BOY will feature Tyler Osborne in the title role, and Nashville newcomer Sara Catherine Wheatley plays the compassionate Meredith, who takes Bat Boy into her home. Artistic Director and Founder Cathy Street directs, and Rollie Mains music directs. Back in the cast for the Theatre's season finale are several of Street's favorite familiar faces, including Mallory Mundy, Bakari King as Meredith's husband Dr. Parker, and James Rudolph, who makes a return appearance to reprise the role of Reverend Hightower, the same role he played in Street's first performance.

"BAT BOY was the first big production we ever did and one of the shows that really defined us as a company," says Cathy Street. "The people who saw it still talk about it to this day, and yet because we were so new, not a lot of people knew we existed so we didn't get a huge crowd." That's certain not to be the case this time. Street Theatre Company has gained a large and loyal audience over the years who, by a vast majority, voted to revive BAT BOY in Street's tenth season. The revival promises not to disappoint its audiences, both old and new. "The show will be different this time," says Street. "I did not direct it when we first did the show, and so I am approaching it with my own vision."

Indeed, her vision is something to be revered. Under Street's direction, Street Theatre Company has become synonymous with daring, edgy productions, Nashville premieres, and innovative musical theater. Her vision is what makes this final performance of Street's tenth season even more nostalgic for its audiences. Earlier this month, Cathy Street announced that she will be stepping down as Artistic Director of the Theatre. Cathy will be handing the reigns to Jason Tucker, who has been directing and music directing regional theatre in Nashville for the past two years. In the Theatre's announcement earlier this month, Board President Jess Miller gives her approval of the appointment, noting that Tucker is "the epitome of what STC is all about and I know that he will uphold the integrity of our company."

It sounds like Nashville audiences can anticipate only great things in Street Theatre Company's future, as its loyal audiences have already come to expect from the Company. Fans and followers will also be happy to know that Cathy's not planning on disappearing. "It is oddly coincidental that [BAT BOY] was our first big show and now my last as Artistic Director," says Street. "I will, however, be directing the first show next season, IN THE HEIGHTS, while Jason has assumed the role of Artistic Director," says Street.

In any case, Street Theatre Company's tenth season closer is not just a Nashville fan favorite. An Off-Broadway sensation, BAT BOY racked up the awards in New York, including the Lucille Lortel Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, before it moved on to London and opened on the West End. Even if you weren't one of the lucky ones who saw Street's performance of this cult classic eight years ago, you certainly won't want to miss the Theatre's smash season finale this time around.

Street Theatre's BAT BOY is on stage at Bailey Middle School in East Nashville where STC is currently in residence, and performances are November 6 through 22. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are available by visiting www.streettheatrecompany.org or by calling (615) 554-7414 and prices are Pay-What-You-Can. This production is supported in part through Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, and Metro Parks.

PHOTOS BY: Heavenly Perspective Photography