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The Lightning Thief
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STRIKES TEENAGE GOLD
BY SEAN MCALINDIN
“The Lightning Thief” | Jan. 14-15, 21-22, 7 p.m. | Jan. 16 & 23, 2 p.m. | Community Arts Center | Truckee
Truckee Community Theater artistic director Carrie Haines was looking into procuring the rights to perform a more well-known production when she stumbled on something new: a musical based on a popular series of teen novels.
Now “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Teen Musical” premieres on Jan. 14 at the Community Arts Center in downtown Truckee.
“The idea to do this show was inspired by my daughter, Lily, 9 (a 7th grader at Tahoe Expedition Academy), who plays Katie Gardner in the musical,” says Haines. “She is a voracious reader and has read all 15 of Rick Riordan’s books about Percy.”
The story follows Percy Jackson, a teenager who discovers he is a demigod and goes on an epic quest to find Zeus’s missing lightning bolt, all while dealing with some typical problems of adolescence. The books have been bestsellers for years, hooking countless young readers on an intoxicating blend of fantasy and reality.
“They’ve coupled teen angst with Greek myth and they marry very well,” says Haines. “It’s made the mythology more relevant, which is interesting for these kids to learn about.”
The musical was first produced offBroadway in 2014 before being recast with a new score and script on Broadway in 2019. Whereas the Broadway production featured seven actors playing all the parts, this version has been expanded to include 27 students from seven local middle and high schools. Percy Jackson will be played by North Tahoe High School sophomore Quill Cooke.
“With the bigger cast we have dance numbers, sword-fighting scenes and special effects,” says Haines. “A lot of people think the movie changed the books too much. The musical took the best of the first two books and stayed more true to them.”
For the first time, the theater’s teen cast will perform with a live band: a quintet
He’s kind of a flawed character,
it’s about his journey to becoming a hero.”
~ Carrie Haines
of professional musicians from Reno led by Elise VanDyne. The choreography was designed by Delana Ryan.
“It’s closer to a rock opera,” says Haines. “A lot of the spoken word is through the songs. The lines are embedded in music.”
Haines studied dramatic arts at University of Southern California and now teaches drama at Sierra Expeditionary Learning School and Tahoe Expedition Academy.
“I just love teaching the students about my favorite thing and giving them a way to express themselves,” she says. “We like to expose them to a little bit of everything.”
One part “Harry Potter” and one part “Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Lightning Thief” presents complex themes relevant to contemporary teen life.
“Percy talks about how he has ADHD and dyslexia,” says Haines. “It’s the idea that the things that make you special are the things that make you strong. It’s about making kids feel that it’s OK if they’re not perfect. He’s kind of a flawed character, yet he’s our hero. Although he doesn’t see himself that way, it’s about his journey to becoming a hero.”
When Haines announced the casting call, she received a flood of interest from area students.
“I think what drew me to this is that it’s something more fun and hip,” she says. “It attracts the kids to want to do it. I think they are more passionate about it. This is something no one in the area has done. The kids jumped at it. Clearly, we picked a winner and I’m hoping our audiences would agree as well.”
Pandemic protocols
Truckee Community Theater will require proof of Covid vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours of showtime to gain admittance. Masks will be required in the theater at all times. The run time is two hours and 15 minutes including a 20-minute intermission where concessions and drinks will be sold. To avoid lastminute interruptions due to the pandemic, Haines has rehearsed with two casts plus understudies for each role.
“Theaters are shutting down all around the country,” says Haines. “It is sad we have to do this, but we want our audiences to feel safe with us. We really want to stay open and do what we love. We will offer a full refund if you’re not feeling well. We’ll miss you, but we’d rather you stay home and get better.” | truckeecommunitytheater.com n
From left, Ella Hennessey, Quill Cooke and Addison Schaller play Annabeth Chase, Percy Jackson and Grover, respectively, in the upcoming production of “The Lightning Thief.” | Courtesy Truckee Community Theater
Sean McAlindin is a writer and musician living in Truckee, who loves a secret powder stash just as much as a good jam. You can reach him at entertainment@tahoethisweek.com. Other writings and original music are available at seanmcalindin.com.
