- Recent Bios -

Always... Patsy Cline (InterPLAYERS)
May/June 2003

JEFF BATDORF (Musical Director) makes his InterPLAYERS debut with this production of Always...Patsy Cline.  A pianist, conductor, composer, and music director for various organizations around the Inland Empire, Mr. Batdorf has conducted and musically directed such shows as The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, and West Side Story for Spokane Civic Theatre.  Most recently, Mr. Batdorf musically directed Nunsense at Spokane Civic Theater, Honk! for Spokane Children's Theater, and Tom Sawyer currently playing at SCT.  In 2001 Mr. Batdorf musically director Spokane Children's Theaters production of Pinocchio, which won the American Association of Community Theater's state and regional Best Production awards and placed 4th at the national competition in Harrisburg, PA.  Having both choral and handbell pieces published, Mr. Batdorf has written and arranged over 100 pieces of music and owns his own publishing company, JMB Music.  Mr. Batdorf is also very active with Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater; Campanile, a Theater Percussion group out of L.A.; Spokane Civic Theatre's Performing Arts Day Camp and Worship Arts at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.

Nunsense (Spokane Civic Theater)
February/March 2003

JEFF BATDORF served as Music Director for Spokane Children's Theater's award-winning production of Pinocchio, and their upcoming Kaleidoscope '03 entry, Honk.  He has conducted many of Civic's most popular musicals, including Nuncrackers, Meet Me In St. Louis, The Wizard of Oz, and Fiddler on the Roof.  He also serves as Music Director for the Performing Arts Day Camp.  Jeff is a published composer/arranger with several choral and handbell pieces to his credit.  He is the owner of JMB Music Publishing and the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.  This is Jeff's 5th time playing for the nuns.

Tom Sawyer (Spokane Children's Theater)
May/June 2003

Jeff Batdorf (Musical Director), owner of JMB Music, served at SCT's musical director for Honk! and Pinocchio.  At Civic, he has provided musical direction for Gigi, Nuncrackers, Meet Me In St. Louis, Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, and West Side Story.  Jeff is co-founder of Civic's Performing Arts Day Camp and serves as Director of Music and Worship Arts a Spokane Valley United Methodist Church.  Jeff is a published composer/arranger of choral and handbell music.

- Recent Reviews -

"Always... Patsy Cline" (Best Local Musical)
Kittra Wynn Croomer's Cline-crooning, backed by Jeff Batdorf's Bodacious Bobcats, manifested the emotional punch of old-fashioned things like melody and simple lyrics.  A production that rose far above the script it had to work with.  Honorable Mention: Nunsense at Civic.
    - Michael Bowen, The Inlander (6/19/2003)

'Patsy' alive with emotion
...The Bodacious Bobcat Band (so named because the players are named Billy Bob, Joe Bob, Ray Bob, etc.) does an excellent job of backing these tunes. Most of the credit goes to Jeff Batdorf on piano, who is also the musical director. However, I was most impressed with the outstanding pedal steel guitar player, Dean Simmons, who provided the band's swing and lilt...
        - Jim Kershner, Spokesman Review (6/2/2003)

'Nunsense' keeps the fun coming
...We shouldn't ignore the contributions of musical director Jeff Batdorf and his combo, Bruce Pennell on bass and Bryan Swenland on drums.  They keep the show rolling professionally along... 
        -  Jim Kershner, Spokesman Review (2/15/2003)

Updated: July 29th, 2003