By: Adan Oliveras, Clayton High School, Clayton, NJ
MAYS LANDING, NJ — Oakcrest High School presented an absolutely “Killer Quest” with their production of “The Lightning Thief.”
“The Lightning Thief” premiered off Broadway in 2014 and later was put on Broadway in 2017. The show officially ran on Broadway from April 4th to May 6th of that year. With music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki and based on the book from Rick Riordan. While only having a limited run time, it left a lasting impression and earned a loyal fanbase.
The story is set in a world where some kids have parents who are Greek gods. It follows the young Percy Jackson, who, despite being kind hearted and full of energy, can’t seem to stay in school. After he is finally tired of being rejected and misunderstood, Percy is dragged into someone’s evil plan for war, suddenly finding himself accused of stealing a powerful lightning bolt belonging to Zeus. With the gods on the verge of war, Percy must go on a quest to clear his name, uncover the truth, and stop a war that could tear the world apart.
Kevin Podolski, who played Percy Jackson, surprised the audience with his impressive vocals and breath control. With impressive swordskills and emotion, he took over the stage. His vocals in “The Day I Got Expelled” were energetic; you could hear the defiance in his voice. This pulled the audience into his song, making it memorable and entertaining.
Other characters such as Luke (Ava MacLaughlan) were excellently played. Luke’s betrayal was delivered with emotion, turning a trusted ally and friend into an antagonist in a way that felt both heartbreaking and real. The emotion behind the reveal was raw, allowing the audience to understand the hurt and resentment driving his choices. Ava’s passion fueled every moment on stage, making her character’s motives feel intense. Kaia Woodruff, who played Clarisse, brought strong, intense passion in her scenes. During the song “Put You In Your Place” she demonstrated amazing fight scene choreography. While using a giant staff, she made sure not to hurt the actors, while also still being able to put on a convincing performance.
The lighting and sounds throughout the production added to the immersion in spectacular ways, the flashes of white with the sounds of thunder gave the impression it was happening in real time. These effects made the audience feel as though they were dragged into Percy’s electrifying world.
Audiences were “Strong” when they came out to see Oakcrest High School perform as they “Bring On The Monsters” in their spectacular and electrifying show of “The Lightning Thief.”
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