Stage Review - The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Ovation Performing Arts NW)

Stage Review - The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Presented By: Ovation Performing Arts NW - Bainbridge Island, WA
Show Run: July 10 - July 19, 2026
Date Reviewed: Friday, July 17, 2026 (Closing Weekend)
Run Time: 2 Hours, 20 Minutes (including at 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed by: Greg Heilman

Some stories seem destined to become stage musicals. Percy Jackson, despite its memorable characters, rich mythology, and devoted fan base, was never one that I necessarily would have predicted, and after the first two movies released my opinion only grew stronger. Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief is an adventure that thrives on constant movement, sweeping locations, monsters lurking around every corner, and the sense that the world is much larger than the page. Translating that kind of story to the stage is no small undertaking, and Ovation Performing Arts NW’s production of The Lightning Thief, which closed on July 19 at Bainbridge High School, demonstrates both the challenges inherent in adapting the story to the stage and what happens when a creative team does their best to overcome them to create something worthwhile.

I found many of those challenges originate not with Ovation’s production, but with Joe Tracz’s book for the musical. As someone who thoroughly enjoyed Riordan’s original novel, found the feature films lacking, and has been impressed with Disney+‘s recent television adaptation, I can’t help but compare how each version tells Percy’s story. The musical often feels less like an epic story that crosses the country in search of an entrance to the underworld and more like a piece that is more interested in checking locations off a list. Major story beats arrive, are acknowledged, and then disappear before they’ve had a chance to land with the audience. The most striking example is the Lotus Casino. One of the most memorable locations in the novel, and an important plot point in both the films and television series, is reduced here to a hotel and tossed into the story almost as an afterthought, feeling more like fan service than meaningful storytelling. Similar moments occur throughout, leaving me wondering how easily someone unfamiliar with Percy Jackson would be able to follow the narrative. Thankfully, because I know the source material well, I was able to set those shortcomings aside and focus on what Ovation’s cast and creative team accomplished.

In many ways, what they’ve accomplished in spite of the source material turns out to be the production’s greatest strength. Director and music director Gwen Adams has assembled an impressive collection of performers, particularly among the younger members of the cast, and this production serves as an excellent showcase for the next generation of local theatrical talent. Rather than being limited by the material, the company embraces its energy and sense of adventure, creating a show that works simply because of the commitment of the performers on stage.

That philosophy extends to the production’s design. Gwen and the creative team smartly embrace a minimalist aesthetic. The scenic elements, props, and Sharon Greany’s costumes provide just enough information to establish each location before quickly giving way to the next. Given how frequently the story shifts from one setting to another, larger scenic pieces would have become cumbersome, slowing the pace of a production that depends on momentum. Instead, the simplicity allows the story to keep moving while giving the audience enough visual context to stay oriented.

As if the story challenges weren’t enough, another hurdle Gwen and her team had to get over existed almost entirely outside the company’s control. Bainbridge High School’s theatre features a large bank of windows along one side of the performance space. During the winter months, that’s likely inconsequential, but with this production running in July, much of the first act takes place in broad daylight. Gwen, lighting designer Dale Borer, and the rest of the team do what they can to shape the environment and block the light via shades placed across the windows, but there is only so much any lighting designer can accomplish before the sun finally sets. Ironically, as the evening progressed and the natural light faded, I found myself becoming increasingly immersed in the world unfolding on stage.

Leading the cast is Fynneas Moore as Percy Jackson. Fynneas gives the title character an earnestness and confidence that makes him easy to root for from the opening number, “The Day I Got Expelled.” His vocal projection is consistently strong, and while the ensemble harmonies take a song or two to fully settle in, Fynneas provides a steady anchor throughout. Percy is on stage for much of the evening, and he maintains both the energy and likability necessary to carry the production. Beside him, Shelby Skinner is equally impressive as Annabeth. Vocally, she combines power with remarkable control, most notably during “My Grand Plan,” one of the show’s strongest solo numbers. What stands out even more, however, is the overall maturity of her performance. At a young age, Shelby already demonstrates instincts that many performers take years to develop, balancing Annabeth’s intelligence, confidence, and vulnerability without ever allowing the character to become one-dimensional. It is a performance that suggests tremendous promise for the future.

Supporting the pair, Gabriel Montañez brings an easy confidence to his dual role as Luke and Ares. His vocal work is solid throughout, and his stage presence naturally commands attention whenever he enters a scene. Ashley Dylan similarly makes a strong impression as Clarisse, giving the role the toughness and confidence it demands while fitting seamlessly into the show’s energetic ensemble.

My favorite sequence of the evening is “The Campfire Song.” More than any other musical number in the show, it feels like a fully realized scene rather than another stop along Percy’s journey. Nearly every member of the company has an opportunity to shine, allowing individual personalities to emerge while the ensemble harmonies come together beautifully. It becomes a celebration of the company itself, and perhaps more importantly, a glimpse at the depth of talent Gwen has assembled. Many of these performers are still early in their theatrical journeys, yet they’re already displaying impressive confidence, musicality, and stage presence. If this production is any indication, they’re only going to get better with experience, making this an exciting group to watch in the years ahead.

The live band, under Gwen’s direction, provides a consistently strong musical foundation throughout the performance. The accompaniment remains tight and supportive without ever overpowering the performers, helping maintain the show’s rock-inspired energy from beginning to end.

At the end of the day, I remain unconvinced that The Lightning Thief fully succeeds as a stage adaptation of Rick Riordan’s novel. Its storytelling often feels rushed, sacrificing emotional development and memorable locations in favor of moving quickly from one plot point to the next. What Ovation Performing Arts NW demonstrates, however, is that a committed cast and creative team can elevate material that doesn’t always serve them. Through thoughtful design, enthusiastic performances, and a company filled with promising young artists, director Gwen Adams has created a production that is well worth seeing, not because it perfectly captures the novel, but because it offers an opportunity to watch some of the area’s emerging theatrical talent continue to grow.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, from Ovation Performing Arts NW, closed at Bainbridge High School on July 19. For more information about Ovation, their programs, and upcoming shows, visit https://www.ovationmtb.com/.

Photo credit: Margaret Johnston, Colleen Shoemaker