Photo from FPAC
By Zuzanna Fudala, Staff Writer
“You shall go west, and face the god who has turned. You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned. You shall be betrayed by the one you call friend. And fail to save what matters most, in the end.”- Oracle Prophecy, The Lightning Thief.
Demigods of Moraine Valley, prepare yourselves as The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical strikes the Fine and Performing Arts Center. Filled with action, adventure, mythological monsters and a thrilling rock score, this musical is bound to be electrifying.
The show will run for two weekends: Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 3 – 4 and 10 – 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays Nov. 5 and 12 at 3 p.m. The show will be hosted in the Dorothy Menker Theatre in the F building.
Tickets are available at the Moraine Valley F building box office Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., or online at the FPAC website at morainevalley.edu/fpac. Adult tickets are: $15, Seniors 55+: $12, Veterans and those under 18: $10, MVCC faculty/staff/students: $10. ALL TICKET SALES FINAL.
Join Percy Jackson, a seemingly normal boy who is actually a demigod and the son of the Greek God Poseidon, as his life turns upside down with the discovery of new powers and monsters on his tail. As if life couldn’t get any better for Percy, tensions arise on Mount Olympus as Zeus’s lightning bolt has been stolen! It’s up to Percy to find it and prevent a war between the Greek Gods.
Adapted from Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief, with book by Joe Tracz, and Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki. Moraine Valley’s production is directed by Dr. Craig Rosen, and has been on the Moraine Valley faculty for 22 years.
I had the pleasure of speaking with the Director of the show, Dr. Craig Rosen, and actor Saniah Johnson who plays Sally Jackson/The Oracle. Both Dr. Rosen and Saniah have said positive things about the show which only makes me more excited to see it. Both Dr. Rosen and Saniah have stated that the show will be a hit with its humor and story. “If you haven’t read the books you’ll still enjoy it. If you have, you’ll especially enjoy the little gems and humor within the dialogue,” according to Johnson.
Johnson has been in roughly 35 productions since a young age, Percy Jackson being her first show at Moraine Valley, and stated, “Chicago and Percy Jackson are my top two favorite shows that I’ve done so far,” and expressed her enjoyment for the show, especially the choreography which I can only describe as a “Greek West Side Story.”
Rosen stated “The show has a great blend of humor and seriousness.” Not only that but Rosen mentioned the set is big and impressive with many platforms and colors.
All the sets that I have seen so far have been marvelous; I especially enjoyed the mechanics so I’m eager to see what’s in store. Aside from the set, I’m excited to see the costumes, especially the Greek gods and the minotaur.
The Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center has had some amazing shows in the past with great performers, amazing sets, and some unique and cool choices for shows. I have always enjoyed the productions that I have gone to see and, as a big Percy Jackson fan I’m eager to see this show!
Cast List:
Matthew Worsech – Percy Jackson
Stephanie Zaragoza – Annabeth
Eric Wilder-Lindsey – Grover
Saniah Johnson – Sally Jackson/The Oracle
Dr. Tom Dow (faculty) – Mr. Brunner
Hannah VonBruchhaesuer – Clarisse/Auntie Em
Liam Law – Mr. D/ Minotaur
Remington Howell – Luke/Ares
Sam Dell * – Silena Beauregard
Lexi Hanson * – Katie Gardner
Jalin Rivera * – Poseidon
Aidan McGuire * – Hades
Paris Ward * – Charon
Shannon Miller * – Mrs. Dodds/Squirrel
Demetri Sianis * – Mozart
Jason Suwaidan * – Gabe Ugliano/Newscaster
*also in ensemble
