The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hits the Coleytown Middle School Stage
(L-R): Joey Vazquez (Grover), Denver Razza (Percy), Lyla McEntee (Annabeth). Contributed photoPercy Jackson, the title character in the upcoming Coleytown Company production – The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, has it rough. Middle school poses enough challenges for the average kid, but when Percy’s math teacher turns into a winged Fury and attacks him during a field trip, and his best friend turns out to have hooves, Percy is convinced that life is a journey through the Land of Unfair. Of course, when he learns his dad is really Poseidon, the god of it might seem like the Ocean, the real journey begins.
Based on the best-selling book by Rick Riordan, “Percy Jackson” explores themes of friendship, betrayal, self-discovery and parent-child relationships further complicated by the fact that these parents are immortal and endowed with super-powers. As vocal director Clay Zambo explained, “LIGHTNING THIEF is a great choice for middle school students because it's about the issues kids this age are facing. The ‘magical powers’ and family issues in this play are a useful metaphor for what they may be discovering in their own lives.”
The group of professionals directing the magic behind Coleytown Company has re-imagined this musical in a surprising and appealing way. Rather than emulate the Broadway version, designer Jordan Janota, working with director Ben Frimmer and other professionals, conceived of Percy’s journey as a touring rock concert. This fits with the pop-rock style songs, but also provides a vehicle to carry the characters from place to place throughout the play, with their Greek chorus of goth roadies and the tenacious Tech Crew, on stage working on effects and moving the sets.
“I wanted to create a neutral space for Percy’s journey. The rock concert doesn’t have to be connected to the plot,” explained Janota. But Percy (played by Denver Razza) is on a journey, both actual and metaphorical. At Camp Half Blood, he meets Annabeth (played by Lyla McEntee). Together with his best friend Grover the satyr who protected him throughout “normal” school (Joey Vazquez), Percy and Annabeth travel across the country, to Hades, to recapture the lightning bolt Percy was framed for stealing from Zeus, the King of the Gods.
This neutral space has created numerous opportunities for connections. Rather than have Greek columns, there is a metal truss system, more akin to a concert. Scenery (and actors) are moved around in road cases. Wood in a campfire is made of guitar necks and Medusa’s head has wires rather than serpents.
Alicia D’Anna, a Coleytown Company veteran who helps translate Janota’s designs into metal and wood, works twice weekly with the Tech Crew, a group of middle school students who physically build the sets, using saws, hammers, nail guns and other tools. “The build is all about interpreting ideas, and then the magic is when it comes to life,” D’Anna stated. One of her favorite moments in Tech Crew this year was when one of the students recognized the formula for calculating slope that she was using for building stairs. “‘We just did that in math!’” the student exclaimed.
Robin Mazzola, costume designer and assistant professor of theater at Wesleyan University, has also embraced the rock motif. All the gods, Poseidon, Hades, Aphrodite, Ares, for example, are based on famous rock stars. Parents (and maybe grandparents) should be on the look-out for Steven Tyler, J-Lo, Alice Cooper and Rob Halford. Mazzola described the look for the Half Blood campers as “street fashion meets Burning Man.” She also described how she incorporated traditional elements of Greek theater, such as adding one thing to a costume to create a new character, into this modern rendition. She is also creating a Cerberus (three-headed dog) costume, a Medusa costume and wings for Mrs. Dodds (played by Chanze Freemon).
Sixth-grader Lilliana Veloso, playing Clarisse (daughter of Ares), is delighted with the opportunity to work with older students. Like Percy, she is making new friends. Eighth-grader Joey Vazquez (Grover) explains that his character, Grover, blames himself for a mistake made long ago, and considers himself a misfit. He tries to redeem himself by being Percy’s friend and protector, and both he and Percy learn that they are good, and they can fit in. ‘
This production will appeal broadly to the kids who are reading the Percy Jackson series, and the adults who appreciate the double new spin – Riordan’s in creating a world of Half-Bloods and Coleytown Company’s, in portraying their journey in a clever and innovative way.
Tickets go on sale March 10 at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/71054 Performance are Friday, March 31 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 1 at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 pm.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Windy, with a northwest wind 24 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Blustery, with a northwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. West wind around 9 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Westport Writers’ Workshop Returns to Westport Library for Pitch & Publish Conference
(L-R): Liz Matthews, Julie Sarkissian of Westport Writers’ Workshop. Photo contributed by Elizabeth Foley. Press ReleaseWestport Writers’ Workshop (WWW) announced their return to the Westport Library for their 2nd Annual Pitch & Publish Conference on Saturday, May 20, which will be both in-person and virtual. Pitch & Publish is the ideal opportunity for those seeking a literary agent, wanting to be educated about the industry at large, or looking to meet and be inspired by authors, agents, and editors. The keynote speaker is Courtney Maum, author of five books, including Year of the Horses, the groundbreaking publishing guide Before and After the Book Deal, and Touch, among others. The conference also includes a Friday night welcome party at WWW’s locale, followed by Saturday’s informative panels, one-on-one pitches, and a wrap party. Doors to the library open for light breakfast to sign in at 8 am, and the event begins at 9 am on Saturday morning. Individual tickets for the conference only are $350 each (walk-ins accepted) tickets for the conference plus two one-on-one pitches with literary agents are $600 each (early bird discount if registered by March 31), $675 each thereafter. Register here: https://www.westportwriters.org/pitch-and-publish-conference-2023.
The conference will include three interactive panel discussions: “Ask The Agent,” “The Road to Publication,” “Level Up your Writing Game,” moderated by Liz Matthews, Kate Schneider and Leigh Stein, respectively. In addition, there will be an inspirational talk, “Live the Process, Own the Process, Celebrate the Process,” and the keynote address by Courtney Maum.
Attendees who purchase “Conference with Pitches” tickets will have the rare opportunity to pitch their books in-person to two elite literary agents and/or small presses during one-on-one sessions. Writers with this type of ticket will be alerted to their individual meetings and the deadline for query letters prior to Pitch & Publish. The agents include: Nora Gonzalez (Gernert Agency), Sarah Landis (Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.), Jaclyn Gilbert (Driftless Literary), Eloy Bleifuss (Jankow & Nesbit), Ayla Zuraw-Friedland (Goldin Lit,) Samantha Wilkenson (Thomson Lit. Agency), Betsey Lerner (Dunow, Carlson & Lerner,) Agents taking pitches remotely are Marin Takikawa (Friedrich Agency) and Michaela Whatnall (Dystel, Goderich & Bourret).
“Empowering writers in any and every way is what Westport Writers’ Workshop is all about, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining forces with the Westport Library, Courtney Maum, Leigh Stein, and so many other passionate literary citizens and publishing insiders to deliver a day full of education, inspiration and opportunities for our community. Westport has such a rich history of supporting the arts and we are so proud to continue that legacy,” said Julie Sarkissian, Westport Writers’ Workshop Instructor
Other highlights of the daylong event include an interactive writing experience, books for sale, goodie bags, refreshments, and a literary door prize gift basket. In addition, registrants are invited to the Friday night welcome party at WWW’s studio location at 25 Sylvan Road South/Suite J, Westport.
“I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the conference this weekend. There was so much to appreciate: the honest, kind, and informed esteemed panelists, the range of topics, the encouragement and humor, the comradeship between volunteers, writers, agents — everyone. I walked away inspired and happy, as did so many. I loved the chance to root for my fellow writers and classmates on their pitch, and loved the partnership between two of my favorite intellectual and community hubs — WWW and the Westport Library,” said 2022 conference participant, Leila Shields
Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching supportive creative writing classes, as well as free literary readings to the public. The organization provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. For more information regarding Pitch and Publish or year round workshops, visit www.westportwriters.org.
Morning Weather Report
Today:
Rain and snow before 11am, then rain between 11am and 2pm, then rain and snow after 2pm. High near 38. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight:
Snow, mainly before 11pm. Low around 32. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Windy, with a northwest wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tomorrow:
Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Windy, with a northwest wind 26 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.
Tomorrow Night:
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Blustery, with a northwest wind 13 to 21 mph.