The show "Holy 1960s Batman, Batman!" at the Hideout Theater had me cracking up so badly, my ass fell off as well as half of my body. I have seen a few live (lost count), and a few that were filmed by friends who could go or posted on the Internet. I don't know about you guys, but I really enjoyed it and always dream of them making more shows.
For all of you who don't know about the comedic, rich show performed at the Hideout Theater (Texas) called "Holy 1960's Batman, Batman!" - you
need, need, need to find a filmed copy and watch. I'm not sure how many shows there are; I've seen at least 8. But that should be something you search up immediately upon reading this post. You will not regret it. And actually, I have you some links that I have searched up and retrieved myself - so you don't have to!
http://vimeo.com/24508645 ("The Toupee" - 30 minutes)
http://vimeo.com/24812121 ("Porcelain Heart" - 48 minutes)
Anyway, Kaci Beeler stars as Robin/Dick Grayson and is just hilarious! She parodies the easily excited, very naive, and pretty ridiculous boy. What makes me laugh the most has to be either the absurd and overdone freak-outs she does as Dick right before a round of crimefighting (to spoof the silly Dick), or the hilarious, naive, childish lines she throws at us as Robin (to spoof him as well). If you've seen the show, I think you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, then just watch and see for yourself.
Kaci Beeler does a wonderful job. She knows what she is doing, as she's been a Robin fan for quite a while. Not only is she funny and true to character (except for a bit of comical exaggeration), but she is cute as a button in the mask and cape. And she isn't just the star of the show as Robin, however she is also the creator and director of the show - which is also plain amazing in my opinion!
Here for you is a pretty interesting inquiry-answer interview, where she spills some about her experiences as Robin. to begin., she basically tells 1/3 the story of my fandom, with,
"I set forth with a new hobby (bird watching?). I read countless Robin comics (yes, he has his own comic, well, *they* do… there are multiple Robins), watched way too many episodes of both the television and animated series, dressed as Robin for halloween, drew myself as Robin in a self-portrait, and just in general became a big ole dorky fan of the little bird."
Couldn't say it better myself. With that, I loved her already. The talk is good, and her answers made me chuckle a few times.
You’ve said repeatedly that your goal with Holy 1960s Batman, Batman is to make it as true to the original show as possible. So the obvious question is, why are you playing Robin, when you’re, you know, a girl?
Kaci: Hah! You ask the tough ones first! Okay, okay. Well, I’ve been a fan of Robin since waaaay back. Like way back to when I was 15 and first saw the original show on TV Land. I guess I knew about Robin being Batman’s partner before that, but it was seeing Burt Ward – young, adorable, and over-zealous, fighting crime in a brightly colored costume – that really brought the character to my attention.
After that one encounter, I set forth with a new hobby (bird watching?). I read countless Robin comics (yes, he has his own comic, well, *they* do… there are multiple Robins), watched way too many episodes of both the television and animated series, dressed as Robin for halloween, drew myself as Robin in a self-portrait, and just in general became a big ole dorky fan of the little bird.
Fast forward to several years later, when improviser Jeremy Lamb asked me to do a duo show with him in December of 2006. We wondered aloud what kind of specific format we could do, and an idea popped into my head. What about a two-person 1960s Batman episode? He didn’t really know the show, but we watched some of it together and then BAM, did the show. It was super, super fun, and the seed was planted in my mind for a future show concept. I played Robin in this duo show, along with a lot of the other characters. It just seemed natural to me. I enjoyed playing him true to the way Burt Ward did. And I’m young and have a lot of spunk myself. It just made sense.
Following in the footsteps of actresses like Mary Martin and Cathy Rigby who played Peter Pan, I believe that onstage a girl can play a prepubescent boy really well, sometimes better than a grown man can. I considered casting a dude in the role if I found a guy who could do it, but ultimately I was excited by the challenge to take on the role myself and play it as honestly as I could. Also, I’ve always had a soft spot in my storytelling heart for adventurous young male characters.
What do you like most about Robin?
Kaci: The 1960s Robin? Well, I’d have to say his over-eager nature paired with his squeaky-clean and naive point of view. His is just so. darn. ready. to fight those criminals and so. darn. irked. by their plots on the poor unsuspecting masses of Gotham City. I love the sharp little nods he makes as he pounds his fist into his hand. Like he’s paying attention to the goings-on 100% at every given moment.
also love that he’s a “normal” teenager the rest of the time… if “normal” is an over-achiving, straight-A student, who is in several clubs and on several sports teams, as well as a regular practitioner of whatever new hobby Bruce Wayne throws his way. Burt Ward said Dick Grayson was completely “anti-septic”, and I just love that description.
What do you think is the essence of the relationship between Batman and Robin?
Kaci: Trust and respect. They completely trust each other in their roles. Robin thinks the world of Batman and is forever learning and growing under his…dare I say it…wing.
Even though Robin is just a teen, Batman really trusts him in this important crime-fighting role, and with his secret identity. The respect is undeniable. You don’t see them question each other’s authority. Robin doesn’t back-talk Batman in the 1960s show. When Robin questions Batman, or vice-versa, it happens in this academic, almost intellectual discussion kind of way, like two scientists examining what’s under a microscope.
Now…in our show, well. Let’s just say we have more fun with the dynamic. Robin and Batman overstep their bounds sometimes. Hilarity ensues.
Have you sustained any injuries in the fight scenes so far?
Kaci: Haha! Yes. Sadly. It’s really easy to become over-excited in the moment and hurt yourself in an improv show. You’re riding this performance high and it seems as though nothing can hurt you. You move faster than you need to and you forget to check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Well, if your name is Kaci Beeler and you’re playing Robin to Deano Jones’ Batman, you’re going to get hurt. Batman has stomped on my feet (numerous times), picked me up so hard he knocked the wind out of me, punched me in the arm and side, and flung me across the stage into other people/set pieces/the floor. All on accident, of course. Henchmen have picked me up and choked me, banged my limbs into other people/set pieces/the floor as they carried me off, and stepped on my feet (numerous times).
None of this was too serious, all on accident, and mostly lead to me yelling, “Ouch!” or “Put me down! Seriously!” or “Batman, you’re my worst enemy!”
As a director I can yell, “slow down!” in rehearsal. Onstage, I can only react in character. My girlish squeal becomes an adolescent squeak, and comedy results from pain. I can always kick Deano’s shins in revenge backstage when he isn’t paying attention. In fact, I usually do. I mean, if I’m going to play a child, why can’t I sometimes act like one?
View this at
http://www.hideouttheatre.com/the-girl-who-plays-the-boy-wonder. Note: this may not be so mobile user friendly - text format is alright however the photo display is a bit goofed.
According to
www.kacibeeler.com, you can contact her at
kacibeeler@gmail.com. I'm not sure if she will get back to you within time since she's busy, or if she will keep in touch easily - I don't know, just try it if you'd like to get ahold of her and let me know, I guess.
I personally enjoyed her performance! I believe it was very, very worth the time.
-Dakota McClure
And I just had to add these videos below. they are trailers for the kind of old yet still alive and bright show "Holy 1960s Batman, Batman!" These trailers are hilarious! Links are below as well for those who cannot access the videos. Source: YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Enot5nZyg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Idh8TYuwxI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irlP9UEprNw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmYDs-M53_8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17FTN8qNMqc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a7QO56rKm0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_jpVQn3Lfk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGhVh6VoQW4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU_BCmjKIHg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34Uh_saMJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5zeDmZGk7I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfK0bJeAzyM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P3wPbbmRAE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPccriTpqqA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knbNshV6mzQ
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