THEATER REVIEW
“The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical”
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MARQUETTE -- As I entered the Forest Roberts Theatre last night for the final dress rehearsal of the Superior Arts Youth Theatre's production of "The Lightening Thief-the Percy Jackson Musical", I realized I was going to be watching a show I knew absolutely nothing about.
Lucky for me, there was a young lady seated behind me with immense knowledge of the books, the movie, the premise, and was willing to share with me what I was about to see. Being a person of a certain age, I'll admit to an inward groan.
This is not my kind of thing, I committed to getting through it by enjoying talented young people and then Percy Jackson opened his mouth and began to sing. Old lady me was transported in the world of teen hero Percy, (as in Perseus) whose dad is actually a Greek god, a quest, betrayals, the underworld and all the places in between.
This production, in the capable hands of newly appointed Artistic Director SAY Theatre Sarah Parks is about a summer camp for kids like Percy Jackson, who have a mother or a father who are gods. These half- god kids are struggling with their identity and the complex issue of abandonment of a parental figure. There is also a missing lightning bolt that has been stolen from Zeus that is a major plot of the musical. There are monsters, sword fights, humor, teen angst and some pretty cool effects that keep the show churning. The highlight however, are the performers themselves.
Pablo Krebs starts the show by singing about getting expelled from yet another school, which is something he has suffered on a regular basis. Krebs portrayal of misunderstood Percy Jackson is extremely honest, brilliantly professional and he has an unforgettable, extremely articulate, strong singing voice. He is a definite highlight in a show that blew me away with the talent of the theatre of the young.
As Annabeth Chase, the daughter a demi-god daughter of Athena a whip smart and always prepared, Rachel Hay is magnificent. Hay's ballad in Act two "My Grand Plan" is absolute perfection. As Grover, the best and only friend to Percy (think Frodo and Samwise) Grant Ottaway is sincere, funny and also has an outstanding singing voice. This lead trio all deliver outstanding performances well beyond their years.
Highlighted cast members are Reya Ghiardi as Clarisse LaRue who will impress you with her ability to wield a spear in mid-air flight while singing, and Sevi Voight as Mr. D (and Kronos).
Voight and Ghiardi are now veterans of the stage while still in high school and Voight's performance is as funny as it is strong. The show stopper number in Act Two, D.O.A. was executed in true Broadway style led by Georgia Hummell as Charon. This number is so fun because without giving away too much, the audience gets to see where some of our great musical artists have ended up after they leave earth. The song involves many cast members who sure look like they are having fun in the disco of the afterlife. Also excellent in this production is Bella Coleman, Nate Wood and Roenak Ghiardi in their perspective roles. Hats off to everyone on stage.
Of course, a production of this magnitude, (almost 80 young people) requires immense assistance from dedicated adults who believe in transformative power of theatre. Kudos to Shanon Ottaway and Candy Peterson for the outstanding properties execution, (I am not going to mention the props themselves as they should be a surprise). Erin Renee Mankee ensured that there was hundreds of wonderful costumes, Sophia Zerbst designed excellent make-up and there is also a fantastic rockin'-awesome live band.
If there is any indication that the new executive director and producer of this show, Becky Heldt has a fantastic future working with the youth of our community, this show is it. Congratulations to both Sarah and Becky for a marvelous beginning to what I hope to be many future endeavors together for the community and the extremely talented youth therein.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Denise Clark is a local director and actor