Oct. 5, 2023 By Nevine Salameh
Queens Theatre is bringing the beloved book, “The Lightning Thief,” by Rick Riordan, to life on stage with an animated rock-style play on Sunday, Oct. 15.
Join Percy Jackson, a boarding school student facing expulsion, as his life takes a mythic twist when he is shoved into a world filled with Greek gods and creatures, all while being accused of stealing the lightning bolt of Zeus, the ruler of Mount Olympus.
Lance Raikes, pictured on the left, amid a scene with Joelle Zazz, shown on the right. Photo by Daniel Rader
“It’s a high-energy retelling of the first Percy Jackson saga with a pulsing rock score, exciting choreography, colorful costumes and inventive staging,” said Jay Rogers, general manager and director of operations at the Queens Theatre.
The one-hour performance is suitable for families with children ages 8-12 and promises to deliver a captivating and fast-paced experience filled with action. The production has showtimes at 1 and 4 p.m. on Oct. 15, with the second being ASL-interpreted.
Queens Theatre is further emphasizing its mission of inclusivity with its “tactile tours” as part of its upcoming performances of the Tout á Trac Theatre’s production of “Pinocchio” in April 2024, which will offer audience members with vision impairments an opportunity to “touch and feel costumes, props and set pieces,” providing a better “context for the show and familiarize themselves with the space before the show itself,” as explained by Rogers.
“Live theater is the chance to share a real, tangible experience with everyone else in the audience,” Rogers said.
Joelle Zazz, pictured on the left, performing with Queade Norah, pictured on the right, during last year’s production of “The Lightning Thief.” Photo by Daniel Rader
This production marks Tout á Trac Theatre’s second time at the Claire Shulman Theater, which was “rapturously received” in 2018.
“We’re thrilled to bring it back five years later to introduce it to a whole new audience,” Rogers said.
Catch “The Lightning Thief” as it lights up the stage at the Claire Shulman Theater — located at 14 United Nations Ave. South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
“To borrow a turn of phrase from ‘Hamilton’ – there’s nothing that compares to being in the room where it happens,” said Rogers.
Tickets, with fees included, are available for $20 at queenstheatre.org.