Don’t miss this exciting musical about one young demigod’s adventures.
Have you always felt a little different? Not enough? Strange and alone? Join the demigods of Camp Half-Blood and find your community. Whether wired for ADHD or Ancient Greek, your special skills are required.
My family had a blast watching The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Percy Jackson (pictured above and played by Elena Valdovinos) launches on a quest with his best friends Annabeth (Celia Castillo-Torres) and Grover (Delia Graham).
This musical follows the book/tv/movie plot of young Percy Jackson discovering his heritage as a demigod and going on a quest to find Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. As Percy himself laments, he “didn’t ask to be a half-blood,” because it mostly gets you killed, and in creative ways. The cast narrotors tell you well in advance to expect, “monsters, gods and a whole lot of awesome sword fighting. If you believe this is all fiction, well …”
We’ll just have to let you enjoy the show.
My son was engaged in the plot early and began to cheer on our reluctant hero, indignantly telling me the “campers were kinda rude,” and whispering fiercely, “Percy, you got this!” with clenched fists after the prophecy was read. The anticipation of my ADHD kid waiting for an ADHD hero to perform is simply electric and the atmosphere feels ready to crackle.
The Judy hosted a classic opening weekend, welcoming for all kids, right down to the staff walking down the aisles and ensuring everyone in the audience had needed boosters seats, programs and stickers.
In addition to the fun-loving battles of gods and monsters, the overarching message of the musical is that normal is a myth and different is special.
Kids will be clamoring to find out, “Did he do it?! Did he stop the war?! And give the bolt back?!” This performance was rated “Yippee! 10/10” by my son.
In the words of Grover, we’ll be baaa -ack.
Know before you go: Parking at The Judy is easiest in the attached parking garage. The Schnitzer Stage at the Judy is general admission seating only, so show up early if you’d like your pick of seats. Boosters are available, so every seat is a great one even for the youngest audience members. Outside food and drinks aren’t permitted, but reasonably priced snacks are available at the concessions stand. Clean, gender inclusive restrooms and changing stations make it easy for families to attend. The entire staff is friendly and helpful should you need assistance.
If You Go
The Lightning Thief
Where: The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts
1000 SW Broadway, Suite T-100 (with attached parking garage!)
When: Saturdays-Sundays, July 26-27 and August 2-3; shows are at 11 am and 2 pm
Length: 75 minutes, with no intermission
Who: Most enjoyed by ages 6 and up
Tickets: $20 for youth and $25 for adults
Get tickets here