“The Lightning Thief” – Rick Riordan’s first book in the beloved young adult book series, delves into the world of Greek Mythology, telling a timeless story of a 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of the Greek God Poseidon. After a successful 32-city North American tour, the story will now hit the Broadway stage.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is slated to kick-off previews on September 20 at the Longacre Theater and will open on October 16. It will only run for a limited time through January 5, 2020. Barbara Pasternack, producer of the show, told The New York Times that she first picked up the book back in 2007. She completed it in one train ride, noting that she “fell into it.” Pasternack, known as the artistic director of TheaterworksUSA, is joined by Be More Chill’s Stephen Brackett and Joe Tracz. Through Tracz’ book and Brackett’s directing, the duo plan on following the plot of Riordan’s novel.
The musical will follow Percy Jackson, a sixth grader who has trouble. Once he discovers that he is the son of a Greek god, he is sent to a supernatural summer camp where he meets other “demigods” like himself. With his two new friends, Jackson heads out on a journey to find his mother and a lightning bolt that will stop a war of the gods, all while defeating monsters along the way. Through the story, Jackson learns that he is not alone in his journey, and the whole world is affected by the Greek gods’ interference.
Pasternack believes that the story, which is about understanding that “the things that make you different are the things that make you strong,” will have a successful run on Broadway because of its fantasy world.
“I don’t think it is a niche story,” she told The Times. “I think the inclusive nature of it is what is going to make it stand out. A family can see it together, and all take something away from it.”
“The Lightning Thief” is the first book in the five-book Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, followed by “The Sea of Monsters,” “The Titan’s Curse,” “The Battle of the Labyrinth,” and “The Last Olympian.” While the first two books were made into major motion films, there has not been word on production of a third movie.
