Theater Review: “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" by TYA

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

The Trumbull Youth Association has a long history of presenting splashy summer musicals, dating back to 1969. I will always remember the production of “Children of Eden” that I saw in 2014. This year the group has chosen the relatively new (and unknown) musical “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” with a book by Joe Tracz and memorable music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki. The story is adapted from the book “The Lightning Thief” written by Rick Riordan.

Concord Theatricals calls the work “a dynamic musical adaptation of Riordan's bestselling book [that] opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he's a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.”

Jeffrey F. Wright, II continues the tradition of excellence as he directs this high-quality production by talented teens. “In this arena, they learn team-building, creative expression, the power of true friends, how to celebrate the unique gifts and talents of themselves and others, and having the courage to stretch beyond their current capabilities into new, more confident, more powerful versions of themselves.” I completely agree and it is a joy to watch the final product of the quest of the rehearsal process.

The director describes this musical: “Like its ancient predecessors, ‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’ is a true Hero’s journey full of timeless themes, awesome adventures, and hard-won victories.” The story is set in the present day at “Camp Half-Blood” on Long Island, moving from New York to Los Angeles and “places in between.”

In the director’s note in the printed program, Wright points out the pervasive nature of Greek mythology in contemporary language. “In this way, Greek mythology lives and breathes within us.”

Antonio Mantero leads the demi-gods in the role of the twelve-year-old Percy Jackson. Mantero appears in his eighth and final TYA show and is a recent graduate of SUNY ESF. Grace Saunders shines in the role of Annabeth, a daughter of Athena, in her first appearance with TYA. She is a graduate of Amity HS who will b e attending Sacred Heart University in the fall as a nursing major.

Hunter Wisneski, who plays the half-goat Grover, played a unicorn in the TYA“Children of Eden,” having spent half of his life with TYA. Derek Macri, a rising senior at Trumbull HS, takes on the role of Luke with a great singing voice.

Masuk rising senior Will Barrett gets to take on the comic role of Mr. D (Dionysius, the god of win.) THS rising senior Mars Czarnecki plays Katie G. and Kayleigh Cintron Henry portrays Silena B in her fourth TYA production. Muriel Bailey is Clarisse in her second TYA show, while Newtown High School rising sophomore Lia Battaglia (Elizabeth in “Letters to Sala”) is fierce in the role of Ares.

Derek Heffelfinger, a rising senior at MHS and RCA, shines in all three of his roles, that of Chiron, Mr. Brunner and Hades. Emma Moran takes on the role of Charon in her third show with TYA, and Lainey Grumet plays Percy’s strong mom, Sally, in her fourth TYA show. Frankie Antonini appears as Aunty Em in her third year with TYA and Christian Kloter, a rising senior at Masuk, takes on the role of god Poseidon. Lexi Kochanowicz, a rising senior at Foran High School, plays Mrs. Dodds.

In supporting roles are Jude Magnotti as Gabe in his third TYA show, Margaret Schumann as the strong voice of an oracle in her third TYA show and Samantha Rose Espiritu dances beautifully in the role of Thalia.

Kudos to all of the dedicated performers in the chorus, who work together as one and dance well.

The live orchestra is led by Tom Cuffari on keys with Joshua Rodis on guitar two and melodica. Choreographer Lisa Mennilli, the owner and director of her dance academy in Newtown, has designed some mesmerizing dances and every member of the cast executes it with impressive unity. There is not a single weak link in the ensemble or among the leads. Chris Pytlak was the fight choreographer, assisted by Heather Graham.

The scenic design by Martin Scott Marchitto, constructed by Mike Wilson, is large, multi-leveled and filled with lovely surprises. Marchitto is a regular set designer at Ivoryton and Curtain Call. Jill Clark served as both scenic designer and props mistress and Merial Cornell and Mary Joan Wright shared the costume design duties, mostly contemporary garb with some specialty mythic designs. Michael Abbatiello designed the “lightning” lighting.

Merial Cornell and Mary Joan Wright worked as the show’s producers. David Harris served as music director, helping the singers to sound wonderful, and Trumbull High English and Theatre teacher Jessica Spillane worked as the production stage manager. Stage Manager Reilly Gramesty is a rising sophomore at WCSU. TYA has a group of supremely dedicated dubbed “The Mamas” that support the students and are beloved by all.

TYA Jr. will present “Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and Aug. 9 at 2 p.m on the stage of Trumbull High School. Tickets will be available at the door. trumbullyouth.org