The University of Lynchburg’s theatre department will present “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Feb. 19-21, in the Robert C. Hailey Theatre at Dillard Fine Arts Center.
The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. each night. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
The musical, based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel “The Lightning Thief,” is directed by Elizabeth Martin ’21.
“Lovers of the Percy Jackson book series and TV show and Greek mythology enthusiasts alike will love this musical,” Martin said. “It’s a real ‘something in it for everyone’ production. Audiences can look forward to Greek gods, big dance numbers, magical creatures, and delightful performances all around.”
“The Lightning Thief” stars Michael Tock ’27 as Percy. Lynchburg theatergoers may remember Tock for his prominent roles in “Seussical” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and his performances with Curtain Call, the University’s musical theater ensemble.
“This has been a dream role since the start of my theater career, so I am very excited,” Tock, a theatre major from Amherst, Virginia, said. “I’m very familiar with the musical. ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ has been one of my favorite book series for years, and this musical is what helped spark my love for musical theater so long ago.
“Playing Percy has always felt like a dream I’d never get the chance to achieve, and now it’s become a reality.”
Martin, who has been invited back to Hailey Theatre several times to act or direct since graduating from Lynchburg with degrees in theatre and English, said it’s the third time she’s had the opportunity to work with Tock.
“It was honestly an easy decision,” she said of casting Tock as Percy. “His energy and love for the stage is contagious. In this show, he will be on stage from the moment the musical begins to the moment it ends.
“It takes a special kind of actor to have the stamina and presence to carry a show in this way, and Michael had already shown in the first week of rehearsals he is a force to be reckoned with.”
Martin also gave shoutouts to Kai Gutierrez-Wood ’28 and Arilyn Webster ’26, who play two other main characters, Annabeth and Grover, respectively.
“[They] are also an absolute joy to watch and work with,” she said. “Michael, Kai, and Arilyn bring so much care and spirit to each of their characters. I think the audience will really fall in love with the trio’s journey.”
Rehearsals for “The Lightning Thief” began in early January with the theatre department’s winter break bootcamp, an annual tradition aimed at getting a jump-start on production of the spring musical. The cast and crew worked up to 10 hours a day.
“They are doing a phenomenal job,” Martin said during bootcamp, “and I’m already so proud of the work they’ve put into the show.”
The cast of “The Lightning Thief” includes 21 actors, some of whom are “diving into theater for the first time ever,” Martin said. “I think this is really a testament to the universal and accessible experiences the theater has to offer. … I’m loving seeing each actor take on their roles in such creative and unique ways.”
Other members of the play’s creative team include Dana Ballard, music director; Kelly Nesser ’23, designer-technical director; Abby Owen, choreographer; Regan Weeks ’26, costume designer, and Braelyn Blackstone ’26, stage manager.
“The audience should look forward to watching a very fun, fast-paced, action-adventure, packed with incredible songs and talent,” Tock said, adding, “I’m mostly looking forward to hearing and performing these incredible songs live.
“The harmonies … shake me at my core, and I can guarantee the audience will feel the same way.”
