Eric Lieggi of West Windsor appears on the Kelsey Theater stage as a townsperson in “Bat Boy.” Opening Friday, July 27, the musical is a classic love story with a serious bite. The music, first performed off Broadway in 2001, includes upbeat rock, hip-hop, tango, gospel, and even soft shoe.##M:[more]##
A rising freshman at High School South, Lieggi began performing on stage with New Jersey Repertory Theater when he was six years old. He plans to study drama at South. “I do hope to do this professionally someday,” he says.
His brother, Matt, will enter Moravian College in the fall. His mother, Valerie, is a nurse at Village School. His father, Robert, is in technical sales.
This is Lieggi’s sixth show with Stars in the Park. Past shows with the drama group include “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Oklahoma,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Grease,” and a “Pocketful of Rhymes.” In this show he is in the ensemble as a townsperson. He is also in the “special voices” section where he sings extra songs not sung by townspeople.
The story line, ripped from tabloid headlines, is about a half-bat, half-boy found in a cave. After being adopted by the veterinarian’s family, he is taught how to speak, gets educated, and falls in love with the vet’s daughter. Since interspecies romance is still frowned on and he’s trying to keep his blood thirst under control, something’s got to give.
The show is filled with surprises and even though Lieggi had read the script, he admits to being surprised when the biggest surprise of the show is revealed.
— Lynn Miller
Bat Boy: The Musical, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net Stars in the Park presents the musical about a half boy, half bat found in a cave. $16. Friday, July 27, through Sunday, August 5.
