The critics were sadly not impressed with The Lightning Thief, scheduled for a brief run at the Longacre Theatre now through January 5. Though many critics enjoyed the show during its original Off-Broadway run, they universally agreed that the changes to the script and score for the Great White Way mounting all fell flat. So unless you’re a super fan of the book or a cult follower of the musical, you might want to wait for the tour or a local production of the show rather than rushing to see it on Broadway.
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF THE LIGHTNING THIEF
Here’s an idea for a Broadway musical: An awkward boy with an absent father and an overwhelmed mother gets involved with friends in a dubious scheme that spins out of control and almost undoes him. Is it “Dear Evan Hansen”? If only. Alas, “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” is a pale patch on the …
DEADLINE REVIEW OF THE LIGHTNING THIEF
If Percy Jackson’s bright and lively Broadway adventure tosses a bit of deja vu your way, I’d guess the creeping sense of vague recall has little to do with that gang of Greek gods down the block belting out tunes from Hadestown, and even less to do with Percy’s plodding 2010 film. I’d smell a Squip…
VARIETY REVIEW OF THE LIGHTNING THIEF
“It’s a lot to take in right now,” says Percy Jackson, the teen hero of “The Lightning Thief,” the kid-centric fantasy musical (based on the popular Y.A. novel) that’s now on Broadway after touring the country and playing an Off Broadway run. You could say that’s a bit of an understatement from contemporary …
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER REVIEW OF THE LIGHTNING THIEF
When I reviewed the 2017 off-Broadway production of the musical version of the first book in Rick Riordan’s bestselling YA fantasy novel series, I gave it a rave. Calling it a “winning adaptation” that “thoroughly charms,” I predicted that the show geared for children would find much success on the regional…
CHICAGO TRIBUNE REVIEW OF THE LIGHTNING THIEF
Ah, to be Percy Jackson, a middle-schooler in the throes of a fantastical quest! Sure beats worrying about how many views your Snapchat story got. He might not get the prestige ink long commanded by Harry Potter and his celeb crew, but author Rick Riordan’s 12-year-old Percy is, in fact, a rock star among the…
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