Mercer Theatre presents an exciting family-friendly performance of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, which opens April 13 at Tattnall Square Center for the Arts in Macon.
Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed mythical adventure “worthy of the gods” (Time Out New York). The show follows Percy Jackson, the half-blood son of a Greek god with newly discovered powers he can’t seem to control.
“For me, this musical is a direct metaphor for our students at Mercer,” said Director Scot Mann, associate professor and director of theatre. “Percy sings that, ‘We can’t stay here and wait for our parents to fix everything. We have to go out there,’ then continues with, ‘Bring on the monsters, bring on the real world.’ The truth for our students is, just as the characters in the Percy Jackson series, there are monsters out there that are going to have to be dealt with.”
Frani Rollins, associate professor of theatre, said the larger scale of a musical is a more collaborative experience for students as well as community members. More than 45 students are in the show.
Playing the titular character is Derrick Buie, whom Rollins cites as a longtime leader in department productions, while the stage manager, a music major, is taking on the role for the first time.
“We love that the show supports our students’ unique passions and strengths,” Rollins said.
Mann said the show “is perfect for our more intimate setting and the wide variety of skills our students learn.” From singing, dancing, acting and stage combat onstage to the spectacle of the set, lighting, costumes, sound and prop design backstage, Mann said that “this musical is a major vehicle to boost the educational value of theater training at Mercer.”
The show is suitable for youth and families, with the Percy Jackson novels being a perennial favorite of kids and teens.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 13-15; 2:30 p.m. April 16; 7:30 p.m. April 20-22; and 2:30 p.m. April 23. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. To purchase or for more information, go to tickets.mercer.edu or call (478) 301-5470.
