The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hits the Coleytown Middle School Stage

(L-R): Joey Vazquez (Grover), Denver Razza (Percy), Lyla McEntee (Annabeth). Contributed photo

Percy Jackson, the title character in the upcoming Coleytown Company production – The Lightning Thief:  The Percy Jackson Musical, has it rough.  Middle school poses enough challenges for the average kid, but when Percy’s math teacher turns into a winged Fury and attacks him during a field trip, and his best friend turns out to have hooves, Percy is convinced that life is a journey through the Land of Unfair.  Of course, when he learns his dad is really Poseidon, the god of it might seem like the Ocean, the real journey begins.

Based on the best-selling book by Rick Riordan, “Percy Jackson” explores themes of friendship, betrayal, self-discovery and parent-child relationships further complicated by the fact that these parents are immortal and endowed with super-powers.   As vocal director Clay Zambo explained, “LIGHTNING THIEF is a great choice for middle school students because it's about the issues kids this age are facing. The ‘magical powers’ and family issues in this play are a useful metaphor for what they may be discovering in their own lives.” 

The group of professionals directing the magic behind Coleytown Company has re-imagined this musical in a surprising and appealing way.  Rather than emulate the Broadway version, designer Jordan Janota, working with director Ben Frimmer and other professionals, conceived of Percy’s journey as a touring rock concert.  This fits with the pop-rock style songs, but also provides a vehicle to carry the characters from place to place throughout the play, with their Greek chorus of goth roadies and the tenacious Tech Crew, on stage working on effects and moving the sets.

“I wanted to create a neutral space for Percy’s journey.  The rock concert doesn’t have to be connected to the plot,” explained Janota.   But Percy (played by Denver Razza) is on a journey, both actual and metaphorical.  At Camp Half Blood, he meets Annabeth (played by Lyla McEntee).  Together with his best friend Grover the satyr who protected him throughout “normal” school (Joey Vazquez), Percy and Annabeth travel across the country, to Hades, to recapture the lightning bolt Percy was framed for stealing from Zeus, the King of the Gods.  

This neutral space has created numerous opportunities for connections.  Rather than have Greek columns, there is a metal truss system, more akin to a concert.  Scenery (and actors) are moved around in road cases.  Wood in a campfire is made of guitar necks and Medusa’s head has wires rather than serpents.  

Alicia D’Anna, a Coleytown Company veteran who helps translate Janota’s designs into metal and wood, works twice weekly with the Tech Crew, a group of middle school students who physically build the sets, using saws, hammers, nail guns and other tools.  “The build is all about interpreting ideas, and then the magic is when it comes to life,” D’Anna stated.  One of her favorite moments in Tech Crew this year was when one of the students recognized the formula for calculating slope that she was using for building stairs.  “‘We just did that in math!’” the student exclaimed.  

Robin Mazzola, costume designer and assistant professor of theater at Wesleyan University, has also embraced the rock motif.   All the gods, Poseidon, Hades, Aphrodite, Ares, for example, are based on famous rock stars.  Parents (and maybe grandparents) should be on the look-out for Steven Tyler, J-Lo, Alice Cooper and Rob Halford.  Mazzola described the look for the Half Blood campers as “street fashion meets Burning Man.”  She also described how she incorporated traditional elements of Greek theater, such as adding one thing to a costume to create a new character, into this modern rendition.   She is also creating a Cerberus (three-headed dog) costume, a Medusa costume and wings for Mrs. Dodds (played by Chanze Freemon).

Sixth-grader Lilliana Veloso, playing Clarisse (daughter of Ares), is delighted with the opportunity to work with older students.  Like Percy, she is making new friends.  Eighth-grader Joey Vazquez (Grover) explains that his character, Grover, blames himself for a mistake made long ago, and considers himself a misfit.  He tries to redeem himself by being Percy’s friend and protector, and both he and Percy learn that they are good, and they can fit in.   ‘

This production will appeal broadly to the kids who are reading the Percy Jackson series, and the adults who appreciate the double new spin – Riordan’s in creating a world of Half-Bloods and Coleytown Company’s, in portraying their journey in a clever and innovative way.

Tickets go on sale March 10 at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/71054   Performance are Friday, March 31 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 1 at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 pm.