Encores! 2026 Update?- Page 6

[Back Row]

Posted: 6/24/25 at 11:30pm

As I said, there have been a number of actors who played Bat Boy, and I’m guessing that most of them had their own take on the character. One production I saw had Bat Boy come in initially as something like Chris Kattan’s Mr. Peepers character on SNL. It was hilarious, but I’m not sure if Taylor Trench has that kind of extreme physicality in his bag of tricks. It will be interesting to see which way he takes the character. 

[nybkg609]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 1:02am

I'm currently hoping for Robyn Hurder to be cast as Queenie in "The Wild Party". Post-"Smash" closing, this is a perfect role for her. Do you agree?

[Yessica Haircut]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 5:02pm

KevinKlawitter said: "Taylor Trensch is Bat Boy"

I had Jeremy Jordan/a Jeremy Jordan type on the mind, and it wound up being his recent co-star. Funny how the universe works like that sometimes.

After mulling over some other Bat Boy casting, I am loving the idea of Kerry Butler moving up to Meredith. Also, Brian D'Arcy James strikes me as another potential great Dr Taylor. Also also, not sure how it might work out in terms of scheduling or contracts, but Gracie Lawrence could be an excellent Shelley (she's already working in an Alex Timbers-directed production).

Just figured I put all that out into the universe.

[Back Row]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 6:55pm

Ten years ago, Jeremy Jordan would have been on a short list for a role like this, but he has slowly moved away from projects like that and on to roles that recognize that he’s now a forty year old man. I never thought of him as a serious option for this role. My first thought was that Edgar would be one of the former Evan Hansens, and Shelley would be one of the Lydias from Beetlejuice. Options for Meredith include, of course, Kerry Butler, and Sarah Chase, another former Shelley who was recently in The Great Gatsby. 

Updated On: 6/25/25 at 06:55 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 7:36pm

Considering they want to move this production of Bat Boy to Broadway, Taylor is not a big enough name to sell tickets to a very strange and cult musical

[Back Row]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 8:01pm

I wonder if Bat Boy could take on the kind of long term rotating cast existence in a small off Broadway house that has worked for Little Shop? Big names might be able to come and go. I’m not so sure this works in a big Broadway house anyway. 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/25/25 at 8:04pm

Victoria Clark as Madam Arcati?

Would mean $9 in ticket sales but I'd like to see it!

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/27/25 at 2:02pm

Back Row said: "I wonder if Bat Boy could take on the kind of long term rotating cast existence in a small off Broadway house that has worked for Little Shop? Big names might be able to come and go. I’m not so sure this works in a big Broadway house anyway.

"

I'm gonna say no; the reason Little Shop has run this long is both because it's a quirky small show, AND because it's one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Bat Boy is a very niche cult show; Little Shop has had a wildly popular movie, revivals every decade or so, and even a Saturday morning cartoon. You can go into Hot Topic, Spirit Halloween or even Michaels' Craft Store and see Little Shop merchandise or knockoffs. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/27/25 at 2:47pm

darquegk said: "I'm gonna say no; the reason Little Shop has run this long is both because it's a quirky small show, AND because it's one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Bat Boy is a very niche cult show;"

Yeah I really don’t see ANY path to commercial success for Bat Boy on Broadway or even Off. Unless they did something really interesting or environmental off B, in which case why waste money at City Center? 

The two recent musicals that have found success Off-Broadway in open-ended runs have had major brand IP (Titanic + Celine Dion, plus Little Shop + star casting). And one of those apparently recouped due to a COVID stimulus bill, and one apparently didn’t actually recoup but will because of the international rights.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/27/25 at 5:04pm

Also: Little Shop is an incredibly easy show to get replacements into, because it's not very demanding and everybody is already familiar with the big songs of the score. 
 

It feels like every Encores production is rumored to be  ready to transfer. 

Updated On: 6/27/25 at 05:04 PM

[tomorrowBIGLITES]

Posted: 6/27/25 at 5:25pm

It’s funny people talk about this show like it’s so niche.

It’s very conventional “misunderstood monster” storytelling and the songs are catchy

This totally could have Broadway commercial appeal.