REVIEW: The Lightning Thief (Sterling Playmakers)

The wildly successful Rick Riordan novel gets a rocking makeover in The Lightning Thief, presented by Sterling Playmakers through August 10, 2025. Familiar favorites come to life on stage with that trademark Riordan humor and a whole lot of heart in a show that's great for the whole family!

Habitually maligned and expelled "bad kid" Percy Jackson learns he's a Greek demigod much to his surprise--complete with swords, monsters, and danger. As he explores his new world, he learns that the things that made his "real life" difficult actually make him a great hero! Alongside satyr Grover Underwood and daughter of Athena Annabeth Chase, he embarks on an epic quest for the gods themselves.

Alex Lew leads the cast as the loveable and smart-alecky Percy, who cycles through the whole gambit of emotions over the course of the show. His big solo song "Good Kid" shone, breaking your heart if you ever felt like a screw-up kid who couldn't catch a break. The act II opener "Lost!" saw our main trio on their own for the first time in the play after the chaotic and thrilling Camp Half-Blood scenes, and Lew, Hope Carey (Annabeth), and Johnny Villa (Grover) worked together with great physicality, chemistry, and vocals. Villa in particular got to show off his physical acting chops with goat legs, and his nervous but comforting portrayal of the guardian satyr was delightful. Carey's Annabeth had a cool confidence (cracking every so often to show a girl aching for attention and approval) and a great, banner performance in her "My Grand Plan"--part defiant, part vulnerable.

Jared Latimer is a particular standout in the cast as the irritated (but not irritating!) Mr. D, the god Dionysus who is cursed to run camp and never touch his own divine wine again. His sour "Another Terrible Day" stands in fun contrast to the more serious material it breaks up at the very beginning to introduce the fantastical world of Greek mythology. (You can tell he secretly cares about his campers!)

Director Sarah Hardy also designed the set for the show. With a multi-use and well-used second story level, Hardy uses her stage well, whether for one person or nearly 30. The constant movement brought physical scenes like capture the flag, ocean waves, and flying shoes to life, while a distinct stillness in Aunt Em's and in quiet moments between Percy and his mom drew the audience in. Clean choreography by Kendall Mostafavi in big group numbers like "Prologue" and "D.O.A." instantly set the cheerful, high energy for the musical.

You can tell immediately that this cast and crew believe in the story they are telling--the story of belonging and of your differences and neurodivergence being strengths. It really feels like you are saying so long to new friends from camp at the end.