REVIEW — The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

By Michael P Coleman

“May the force be with you.”

Wait a minute! That was Star Wars. 

“There’s no place like home.”

Nope. The Wizard Of Oz. 

“Expecto patronum!”

I almost expected to hear that iconic Harry Potter incantation, as well as those other classic declarations, during the engaging The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, which opened last night at the Community Center Theater in Sacramento. There are doses of Luke Skywalker & Co, Dorothy, Toto et al, and JK Rowling’s crew in this story, with a touch of Shazam! thrown in for good measure. 

The Lightning Thief is based on Rick Riordan’s The New York Times best selling novel, the first of a series that has sold over 100 million books.  The story is a classic hero’s journey, featuring a cast of super-powered kids with strong family-focused backstories.

I fell in love with Chris McCarrell in the lead almost immediately, while the ensemble was nothing short of brilliant, quickly engaging their opening night, multi generational audience and keeping us laughing.  In fact, a wave of cachinnation after a perfectly placed and executed joke about one of the show’s props briefly stopped the show! 

The Lightning Thief’s colorblind casting was a pleasant surprise.  And just as when watching MGM’s classic Oz, keep your eyes peeled for actors pulling off multiple roles with aplomb. 

With a cast this good, I hesitate to single out any one of them, but Ryan Knowles is one to watch, and The Lightning Thief’s secret weapon is Jorrell Javier.  His portrayal of “Grover” during the show’s first act gives nary a hint of what that character delivers — vocally or emotionally — after the intermission, while eagle-eyed fans will catch a glimpse of his brilliance in his portrayal of “Mr. D.” 

While The Lightning Thief’s score doesn’t have a showstopper per se, this gifted cast makes  the best of what they have to work with — which coincidentally is one of the themes delivered in the production’s narrative.  We all have to play the cards we’ve been dealt.  Success in life comes to those who figure that out sooner rather than later. 

With The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Broadway Sacramento has booked a really wonderful show to cap off Spring Break.  Check it out with the kids this weekend — and get seats as close to the stage as you can.  I was a little further back, and a couple of times during the show, I was jealous of those lucky folks in the front few rows!

Tickets for The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical start at $30 and are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or by calling (916) 557-1999. They are also available at the Community Center Theater Box Office, 1301 L Street, Sacramento, by calling (916) 808-5181, or online at BroadwaySacramento.com.