The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical

The Lightning Thief

The Percy Jackson Musical

Longacre Theatre

October 12, 2019

Photo courtesy of The Lightning Thief,
The Percy Jackson Musical

The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical hits Broadway like a lightning bolt.  Commissioned by Theatreworks USA in 2017, this show has gained quite a momentum.  The book by Joe Tracz is masterfully adapted from the young adult novel by Rick Riordan.  The music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki brilliantly builds the action and develops the relationships.  Choreography by Patrick McCollum is crisp and concise.  Director Stephen Brackett skillfully pulls all these high quality pieces together to create an engaging and entertaining production for all ages.

Percy Jackson (played by Chris McCarrell) is expelled from school for a mishap during a field trip.  When his mother (played by Jalynn Steele) finds out the reason, she decides it is time to tell him about his father, who he has never met.  After telling him of their chance meeting and the plans for him to go to camp, she is killed by a Minotaur.  Percy finds himself at the camp, protected by Grover (played by Jorrel Javier), a faun (a mythical half goat, half human creature) and Chiron (played by Ryan Knowles), a centaur (a mythical half horse, half human creature).  They tell him that he is a half-blood (half god, half human), as are all the inhabitants of the camp.  Percy does not know who his father is until Annabeth (played by Kristin Stokes), the daughter of Athena, uses him as bait to win a war game.  When he draws upon his undiscovered power over water to lead them to victory, they all realize his is the son of Poseidon.  This discovery makes him a suspect in stealing Zeus’ lightning bolt.  He, Grover, and Annabeth go on a quest to get it back and prove his innocence.

Kristin Stokes, Chris McCarrell, & Jorrel Javier
Photo courteys of The Lightning Thief,
The Percy Jackson Musical

There are only seven actors in the cast and most of them play more than one major role.  They all deliver phenomenal performances.  Chris McCarrell is magnetic as Percy.  Jorell Javier is energetic as Grover and outstanding as Mr. D.  Ryan Knowles shows his expansive vocal range, creating the roles of Chiron, Medusa, Hades, and Poseidon.  Kristin Stokes is strong as Annabeth.  She blows the roof off the theatre with her singing.

The Monotaur
Photo courtesy of The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical

The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical is playing at the Longacre Theatre through January 5.  It is refreshing to see a low budget Broadway production that captures the imagination.  It is good storytelling with excellent performances.  It is great family entertainment.  Go see it!

Domenick Danza

Be More Chill

Be More Chill

Lyceum Theatre

March 2, 2019

Photo courtesy of Be More Chill

How do you survive high school… or any tough situation that life dishes out?  You need to Be More Chill.  This musical is beautifully written by Joe Tracz with bold and edgy music and lyrics by Joe Iconis.  Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, it evaluates the voices in your head that rule your behavior.  Director Stephen Brackett brilliantly brings together all the elements for this energetic, fast paced production.  The choreography by Chase Brock is sharp and tight.  Costumes by Bobby Frederick Tilley II are bright and defining.  Lighting design by Tyler Micoleau and scenic design by Beowulf Boritt are distinct and unified.  The cast is simply phenomenal, most of them taking on more than one role in the show.

Jeremy (played by Will Roland) is a geek.  His goal is to survive another day in high school.  His Dad (played by Jason SweetTooth Williams) is in a state of depression since his wife left them, causing him to stay at home and not put his pants on.  Jeremy has a crush on Christine (played by Stephanie Hsu).  She is a free spirited theatre geek who doesn’t notice him.  He is bullied at school by Rich (played by Gerard Canonico), who tells him about the squip, a micro-chip in a pill that programs your brain and controls your behavior.  This was Rich’s answer to becoming popular, and can be Jeremy’s solution as well.  Jeremy tells his best friend, Michael (played by Troy Iwata), who goes with him to purchase the squip.  Things move very quickly for Jeremy when The Squip (played by Jason Tan) takes over his brain.  Before you know it, everything is out of control.  His father has to put on his big boy pants to help Jeremy before it’s too late.

Stephanie Hsu & Will Roland
Photo courtesy of Be More Chill

Will Roland and Stephanie Hsu have a strong chemistry as Jeremy and Christine.  Amid the fast paced momentum of the show, they find genuine moments of connection.  Troy Iwata, the understudy for the role of Michael, rocks the house.  Jason Tam is beguiling and commanding as The Squip.  Tiffany Mann blows the roof off the theatre as Jenna with her powerful vocal range.  Strong performances are also delivered by Britton Smith, Katlyn Carlson, and Lauren Marcus. 

Photo courtesy of Be More Chill

Be More Chill already has a strong cult following after successful productions at Two River Theatre in New Jersey and Off Broadway at The Pershing Square Signature Center.  Get a ticket and experience it for yourself.  It will dazzle and energize you! 

Domenick Danza