Update 1-22-25: Because of the winter storm, rehearsals were pushed back and the play is now opening on February 2. The January 26 matinee is canceled.
Original story:
He’s a demigod who doesn’t know who his father is, other than that he’s one of the Greek gods. He lives in modern times and has ADHD.
He’s Percy Jackson and a major factor in the success of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical about to reappear at Main Street Theater’s MATCH location is that he provides a perfectly relatable character for audience members, especially students, according to Vivienne M. St. John, MST Theater for Youth Artistic Director and co-director of the production.
“Percy struggles especially in the first book. He struggles with his ADHD,” St. John says. And Percy doesn’t feel seen by his father, a feeling a lot of kids have about their parents, she adds. “A lot of kids relate to that.”
Early in the story, Percy’s mother drops him off at Camp Half-Blood after he’s chased by a Minotaur. His mother thinks he’ll be safer at the camp along with the other demigods.
St. John says they decided to bring back the musical which they first performed in 2023, because of the books themselves and the surge in interest caused by the first season of the Disney series which came out the same year. Earlier movies on the same subject were disliked by fans of the books and the books’ bestselling author Ric Riordan alike.
“There’s so much interest because Ric Riordan did an amazing job of creating this world,” St. John says. “Kids just really resonate with Percy and Annabeth and Grover and the things they go through. There’s excitement and adventure and a little bit of love.”
The musical itself which incorporates rock music hews pretty closely to the books, says St. John, adding there have been some added elements. “Mr. D drinks out of a Diet Coke can all the time. We thought that was iconic for him. Even though he’s Dionysus, the god of wine, he drinks Diet Coke so we added that to the show. There are some elements we took from the books that we added. The TV show is pretty consistent with the books. The movies not so much. If only seen the movies you’re going to be definitely surprised.”
Audience members who’ve only seen the movies are going to be surprised by the musical, she says. “it’s seven actors playing a ton of characters.”
Most important to this show, she says, is the return of Michael Chiavone who again takes on the title character’s role.
“When we did auditions the first time around, I knew before we cast it that he was going to be my Percy. And when he was the only one who could really sing that role. He understands Percy so well. He’s very intuitive about who Percy is. He embodies that character so well. He’s also an incredible singer, incredible dancer. So when the thought came about that we were going to do it again, I couldn’t see myself doing the show without him again. Luckily he was on board.”
Other cast members include Nicole Campos, Chad Fontenot, Matt Hurt, Jordan Okeke, Mykal Sanders, Laura Smolik, Jordan Umphries and Jacqueline Vasquez. The musicians are Kerri Elrod and Richard Bourk. The book is by Joe Tracz who adapted Riordan’s book for the stage with music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki.
“Percy Jackson like Harry Potter has a following. He’s been around for a while,” St. John says. “So adults who’ve grown up with it are as excited as young people to be able to come and see it brought to life. It is not a children’s show per se. There’s a lot of humor in it for adults.
“The kids have found characters that interest them to read. Ric Riordan has done an amazing job of putting stories together that attract kids to read. Over and over. This material is so present in our lives.”
Even if you’ve never read any of the books or seen the movies or Disney series, children and adults can enjoy the production, St. John says.
“The show is self-contained. When you arrive you don’t have to know any backstory. We are going to get you caught up with who these people are.”
Performances are scheduled for January 26 February 2 through February 23 at 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Friday January 16 and 23 and Friday February 7 at Main Street Theater’s MATCH location, 3400 Main. Recommended for fifth grade and older, for adults and children. For more information call 713-524-6706 or visit mainstreettheater.com. $31-$44.
