Get ready for a fang-tastic episode of No Small Parts, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the heart and soul of community theatre! This time, host Scott Leon Smith takes us behind the scenes at Bucyrus Little Theatre in Ohio, where rehearsals for the cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical are in full swing. Buckle up, Broadway fans, because this episode is a hilarious, heartfelt dive into a show that’s equal parts Hamilton swagger, Mean Girls sass, and pure, unfiltered weirdness. Well ... kind of ...

Scott sits down with a few members of his cast, Cynthia Carvel (Shelly), Emma White (Meredith), and Chris Collins (Dr. Parker), to dish on what makes Bat Boy a one-of-a-kind theatrical beast. This off-Broadway gem, inspired by a 90s tabloid tale of a half-boy, half-bat found in a West Virginia cave, is a raucous blend of musical theatre genres. Think rock ballads, country hoedowns, rap battles, and Broadway-style belters, all wrapped in a madcap, self-aware package that pokes fun at itself and the entire musical theatre world. It’s like if Little Shop of Horrors and Beetlejuice had a lovechild that grew up reading Weekly World News.

Cynthia, a 16-year-old theatre kid with a passion for singing, spills the tea on playing Shelly, the bratty teen who falls for the charismatic, bad-boy vibes of Bat Boy (played by the talented Darius, who’s sadly not here, so they talk behind his back). Emma, a phlebotomist by day (perfect for a show obsessed with blood!), shares her journey stepping into the complex role of Meredith, Shelly’s sitcom-mom with a mysterious edge. And Chris, channeling his inner mad scientist as Dr. Parker, dishes on tackling high-energy rock numbers and dancing (or flubbing) his way through the show’s wild choreography.

From Nosferatu-inspired costumes to projections that dial up the '90s horror schlock, this production is pushing the envelope at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Expect dance breaks that’ll make you want to line dance in the aisles, key changes that sneak up like a bat in the night, and a story that’s as touching as it is bizarre. With nods to Broadway heavyweights like Kerry Butler (Mean Girls, Beetlejuice) and Jonathan Groff (Hamilton), this episode proves Bat Boy is more than just a cult hit; it’s a love letter to the weird and wonderful world of community theatre.

Tune in to hear Scott and his cast share pizza-fueled banter, rehearsal war stories, and why this show is a must-see for anyone who loves musical theatre with a side of chaos. Catch Bat Boy: The Musical at Bucyrus Little Theatre from October 17th-19th and 24th-26th, 2025, with special Saturday matinees to accommodate the cast’s homecoming plans.

Grab your tickets at busyruslittletheatre.com and prepare for a bloody good time!

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are located at 130 Songer Avenue, Bucyrus, Ohio.