Theatre review: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical brings engaging stage magic to Greek myth series
Giant Minotaur puppets, exciting sword fights, and an energized cast help bring Rick Riordan’s popular book series to adventurous life
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
CTORA Theatre presents The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre to May 28
WITH THE LIGHTNING Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, CTORA Theatre has unleashed a fun and imaginative theatrical experience that audiences of all ages will love. Thanks to a cast of young, talented performers, and impressive staging and design, the show does a fine job of bringing the first story in Rick Riordan’s popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians novel series to life.
The show tells the story of Percy Jackson, an adolescent boy with ADHD and dyslexia who continues to get kicked out of schools, despite always wanting to behave and do his best. Unfortunate and strange things just keep happening to him. On one school field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he comes face-to-face with a Fury (Hades’ mythological Greek demon), and has to fight for his life. Of course, no one believes his story, and Percy is expelled once again.
Sensing it’s time for Percy to be in an environment more suited for him, his mother Sally sends him to a summer camp—Camp Half-Blood, a place for demi-god kids like him. As the new student in school, not everyone trusts him. When it becomes known that the all-powerful Zeus has had his lightning bolt stolen, Percy becomes the number one suspect. To prevent a war between the gods, Percy, along with best friend Grover and the high-achieving Annabeth, must go on a quest that involves venturing to the Underworld to face its god, Hades.
Under director Mark Carter, a brilliant creative team effectively conjures the story onstage. Brian Balls’s set, with its tall Greek temple-inspired columns, and Darren W. Hales’s aqua-themed lighting design, evoke intrigue from the start. Puppetry designers Lily Yuan and Michael Abraham, in collaboration with costume designer Ball, find imaginative ways to conjure Percy’s adventure. Highlights include a Medusa with moving snakes in her hair; the thrilling, giant Minotaur puppet; and Percy and his friends’ cross-country adventure to the Underworld, via bus, train, and motorcycle.
Brett Williams as Percy Jackson.
As Percy, Brett Williams is a burst of fresh, young energy, bringing likability, innocence, and courage to the role. Williams does a fine job of revealing Percy’s longing to do well in his solo “Good Kid”, and his teen mannerisms make for a believable, young hero to root for. As tough-girl Annabeth, Jessica Spenst’s grit and savviness nicely counters Percy’s innocence, and her strong vocal talent is showcased in “My Grand Plan”. With inspired physicality, Ted Angelo Ngkaion is a comedic show stealer in his duo roles of loyal best friend Grover and annoyed camp director Mr. D (who is actually Dionysus, the god of wine and madness).
Boris Bilic is impressively versatile in his multiple roles, which includes Percy’s teacher Mr. Brunner (who has a mysterious secret) and a couple of Greek gods. Alexis Hope’s excellent singing in her roles as Percy’s mom Sally, as well as Charon, the gatekeeper to the Underworld, is a great addition to the show. The entire ensemble does a superb job of juggling multiple characters.
The show’s score, written by Rob Rokicki, isn’t particularly memorable. But the performance of it is strong across the board, with exceptional harmonization among the cast and accompaniment by the show’s band, all under the skillful musical direction of Jeremy Hoffman. Ken Overby’s choreography helps to move the action along well, without looking too dance-like, which is appropriate for this show. There’s also some exciting and polished sword fighting, thanks in part to fight director Dimitrios Stephanoy.
On opening night, there were many moments of vocal audience reactions, including squeals of delight and “ooohs” and “ahhs”. This is a show that really engages the viewers, who feel like they’re part of the action throughout Percy’s entire adventure. In the same genre as Harry Potter and Wednesday, this is the type of story that continues to captivate young (and older) audiences, yet is rarely seen onstage. The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical not only brings the teenage fantasy genre to life, but does so with musical theatre wizardry.
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