By Jeanni Ritchie
I wish I’d paid more attention during the Greek mythology unit in high school English class. It certainly would have helped me keep up with all those gods, demigods and mythical creatures in Alexandria Senior High’s production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical!
Presented October 8–11 by the ASH Theatre Department, the musical brought Rick Riordan’s beloved characters to life in an adventure filled with humor, music, friendship and a few unexpected encounters with Greek mythology.
Based on the popular book series, The Lightning Thief follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers that he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. When Zeus’s lightning bolt goes missing, Percy becomes the prime suspect, setting him on a dangerous quest to recover the weapon and prevent a war among the gods.
Gabriel Scales led the cast as Percy, with Lorelei Bolen portraying Annabeth Chase and Jamar Cornell taking on the role of Grover Underwood, Percy’s loyal friend and protector.
Together, the trio navigated a world filled with monsters, gods and unexpected revelations as they traveled across the country in search of the missing lightning bolt.
The adventure began at Camp Half-Blood, where Percy discovered that he wasn’t the only teenager struggling to understand his identity. The camp serves as a refuge for demigods, children born to one mortal parent and one Greek god.
Despite their extraordinary parentage, the young campers faced some surprisingly ordinary struggles. Feelings of rejection, insecurity and the desire to belong created bonds among the children of Athena, Ares, Aphrodite and other gods.
Songs such as “Good Kid” and “My Grand Plan” explored the characters’ frustrations and dreams, adding emotional depth to the fast-paced adventure.
The production featured a large cast of colorful characters, including Kholby O’Reilly as Luke Castellan, Evie LaFleur as Clarisse LaRue, Keelan Sibley as Mr. Brunner/Chiron and Kaia Simmons as Sally Jackson, Percy’s mother.
As the story progressed, Percy and his companions encountered an assortment of mythical figures, including Medusa, Ares and Hades, each adding another challenge to their journey.
One of the most entertaining sequences came during the trio’s visit to the Underworld, where Charon, portrayed by Alyssa Skipper, transformed the realm of the dead into an unexpected musical celebration.
If you’ve ever wondered what a dance party featuring Mozart, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain and James Brown might look like, the number “D.O.A.” offered a hilarious answer.
The production balanced these comedic moments with more serious themes of friendship, loyalty, family and self-discovery.
With musical numbers ranging from the energetic “The Day I Got Expelled” to the emotional “The Tree on the Hill,” the score by Rob Rokicki offered plenty of opportunities for the young performers to showcase their talents.
Director and choreographer Melissa Hunter guided the production, with Naomi Baker serving as music director and Evie LaFleur as dance captain and assistant choreographer.
The cast and crew brought the imaginative world of Percy Jackson to the stage through music, choreography and creative storytelling.
At its heart, The Lightning Thief is about more than a missing lightning bolt or a battle among Greek gods. It’s about young people discovering who they are, recognizing their strengths and learning that they don’t have to face life’s challenges alone.
And while a little knowledge of Greek mythology certainly helps, ASH’s production proved that you don’t have to be an expert on Zeus and Poseidon to enjoy the adventure!
Alexandria Senior High — The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Cast
Percy Jackson — Gabriel Scales
Grover Underwood — Jamar Cornell
Annabeth Chase — Lorelei Bolen
Luke Castellan — Kholby O’Reilly
Clarisse LaRue — Evie LaFleur
Silena Beauregard — Selena Nguyen
Katie Gardner — Emma McCartney
Mr. Brunner/Chiron — Keelan Sibley
Sally Jackson — Kaia Simmons
Mr. D — Adlih Moreno
Charon — Alyssa Skipper
Gabe Ugliano/Ares — Zach Byon
Mrs. Dodds — Eva Boudreaux
The Oracle — Adriana Robles
Medusa — Grayson Waldon
Poseidon — James Caycoya
Hades — Riley Gordey
Ensemble
Coco Cahill, Emily Co, Laila Collins, Braelyn Douglas, Aurbreii Crews, Kylee Gordon, Abigail Greenbaum, Paravi Hirachan, Bellah Jacob, Kaiya Phillips, Trennedy Sanders, Carol Sawaked, Triniti Wagoner
Creative Team
Director and Choreographer — Melissa Hunter
Music Director — Naomi Baker
Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer — Evie LaFleur
Technical Director — Aubrey Bolen
Technical Crew
Stage Managers — Christiny Butler, Andrew Nguyen
Light Board Operator — Evelyn Corbyn
Run Crew — Loki Brooks, Kianna Clifton, Madison Culbert, Madison Frison, Ja’Liya Jenkins, Hatton Lindsay, Jocelyn Parker
Coming Up Next at ASH Theatre
Alexandria Senior High Theatre continues its 2026–2027 season with The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes, January 21–24, 2027, followed by Chicago: Teen Edition, April 28–May 2, 2027.
For tickets and additional information, visit ashtheatre.net.
