Adam Perkes, an actor who earned critical praise for his effusive and energetic performances on stage, has died less than a week after the debut of his latest show at the age of 27.
Perkes’ most recent role was in the Equinox Theatre company’s production of the campy comedy “Batboy: The Musical,” a show that kicked off on Feb. 15. Perkes played the title role in the show based on the fictional character featured in a series of Weekly World News articles. Perkes’ other recent acting credits include roles in the Equinox production of “In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play,” as well as his Aurora debut as Pirelli in the Ignite Theatre company’s October production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”
According to reports from the Glenwood Springs Post Independent, maids at the Hot Springs Lodge discovered Perkes’ body in a bathtub on Thursday. Police Chief Terry Wilson said that Perkes had consumed alcohol and pills before his death, according to the report.
Equinox Theatre cofounder and “Batboy” producer Deb Flomberg said the company will hold an informal remembrance ceremony at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. in Denver.
Flomberg recalled Perkes’ energy onstage, as well as his consummate work ethic. She recalled Perkes’ first Equinox audition for the 2010 production of “Reefer Madness.”
“Colin (Roybal) and I got together and thought that the most important thing was for people to come together and share in our grief,” Flomberg said, adding that the gathering will be a place where friends and family can come “and get a hug.”
Perkes’ bio in the playbills for both the Ignite production of “Sweeney Todd” and the Equinox production of “Bat Boy: The Musical” paid tribute directly to the victims of the shootings at the Century Aurora 16 theater on July 20.
“His hearts and prayers go out to everyone directly (and indirectly) affected by the Century 16 shootings. Enjoy the show and next time you feel like the world done you wrong, eat a glazed donut,” the bios read.
Flomberg recalled Perkes’ strong stage presence at remarkable work ethic. They were qualities that were clear from his first Equinox audition in 2010, she said.
“I remember standing at the back of the theater thinking, ‘Holy cow, this guy has the most amazing stage presence I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him,” Flomberg said. “He just lit up that stage.”
She added that producers and actors from “Bat Boy” have not yet decided whether to cancel the remaining run of the production.
In a story about the “Bat Boy” show that appeared last week in the Aurora Sentinel, Perkes spoke about the deeper themes of a show that, on its surface, seemed rooted in camp and outrageous humor. The show followed the trials of the titular half-boy, half bat as he was taken from his home in a cave to live in the home of a small-town veterinarian.
During one of the final dress rehearsals before the debut of “Bat Boy: The Musical” on Feb. 15, it was impossible to miss an air of twisted humor. Adam Perkes, the actor who plays the title character, sat in a chair backstage, getting touched up by a make-up artist for his performance as Bat Boy. With a bald head, darkened eyes and pointed ears, Perkes looked the part of a monster pulled from science fiction.
But as he spoke of his role and the show’s deeper themes, the silliness of the plot seemed to dim.
“It’s about tolerance for people who are different, and not allowing ourselves to scapegoat groups or individuals,” he said, just before the makeup crew helped him put in his sharpened vampire teeth.