Based on the best-selling books, the musical helmed by Nick Sugar is the hottest family show in town

Prepare to be thunderstruck at Aurora Fox, the epicenter of the hottest family show in town. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical has descended from the heights of Mount Olympus and found its current home on East Colfax, much to the ecstatic delight of Rick Riordan fans.

Riordan’s “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” book series, a literary phenomenon with over 20 million copies sold, forms the backbone of this musical. Aurora Fox brings this beloved story to life with a flawless production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, drawing in what seems to be a full house every performance.

Debuting Off-Broadway in 2014, The Lightning Thief offers a unique blend of contemporary pop/rock sound and Greek mythology. With its pulsating energy, this musical transcends the boundaries of the theatre, immersing the audience in a one-of-a-kind experience.

Its overall success goes to award-winning director and choreographer Nick Sugar, who sets the stage on fire at the Aurora Fox with his dynamic interpretation of the musical based on mythology, heightened fantasy and adventure. With a powerful musical score and a cast of talented actors playing multiple roles, the show offers a truly immersive experience, inviting the audience to become part of the magical world of Percy Jackson.

But who is Percy Jackson (Chase Ralston), and why does he have a musical name after him?

Photo: Gail Marie Bransteitter

From antiquity to modern-day

Discovering that he is a demigod – half human, half Greek god – Jackson departs on an adventure to find Zeus’s missing lightning bolt in hopes of preventing a war among the gods. With only 10 days to fulfill this mission, Percy encounters various mythological beings, including those from Camp Half-Blood. Not only does he need to recover the lightning bolt, he must come to grips with a father who abandoned him in early childhood. For a youngster, Percy has his plate full.

Percy is accompanied on the mission by Grover (Sean Johnson), a satyr — a mythological creature — and Annabeth (Antigone Biddle), another demigod and daughter of Athena. The trio encounters many colorful characters while searching for the missing lightning bolt.

These potential troublemakers include Mr. Brunner (Brian Watson), a teacher at Percy’s academy Half-Blood, and Luke (Nick Rogers), a demigod with significant consequences for Percy and the quest. Clarisse (Jamie Molina), another demigod, adds further tension to Percy’s plight. Finally, in a touching scene with his mother, Sally (Faith Angelise Goins-Simmons), Percy is devastated by what befalls her and is driven deeper into the adventure by the events.

Bang-up cast

Each actor is worthy of particular note. As Percy, Ralston gives 100 percent to the task and lives up to having a musical named after him. He is charming, filled with energy, and has a strong stage presence. Biddle and Johnson, as Annabeth and Grover, are both highly believable as Percy’s BFFs throughout, demonstrating strong acting and singing skills.

What’s remarkable is that some actors are called upon to move swiftly from character to character. These include Watson, who plays Mr. Brunner, and others, who slip easily — and often comedically — into a different persona. The same goes for Rogers and Molina. In the role of Sally, Goins-Simmons is beautifully motherlike to young Percy and is heralded by the ending notes.

Music is central to The Lightning Thief, and music director Andrew Fischer has delivered in spades. With a beautiful live, five-piece band on stage, the music is electrifying and pulsating.

Brandon Philip Case’s scenic design and Brett Maughan’s lighting deserve special kudos for transforming Aurora Fox Theatre into a radiant and masterful playing space for Percy and the gang.

As a director and choreographer, Nick Sugar has gone to great lengths to bring The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical to life. And it all works! This is a family-filled production that everyone should see. The performance I attended was sold out, and I imagine that will be the case for the rest of the run. Grab those tickets while you still can!