The Lightning Thief
at Bordentown Regional High School

Reviewed on February 26, 2022

Aiden Kaliner
Harriton High School
Submitted for publication to WordPress Site and Cappies Page

Bring on the monsters because Bordentown Regional High School's adventurous production of "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" and its electrifying cast delighted audiences all the way to the Underworld.

Based on the book by Rick Riordan, "The Lightning Thief" follows Percy Jackson after getting expelled from school and encountering a terrifying Fury disguised as a substitute teacher, Mrs. Dobbs. He is then sent to Camp Half-Blood, discovering he is a demigod--half-mortal and half-god--and that the Greek gods are, in fact, real. With growing animosity between the gods over Zeus' missing lightning bolt, Percy, along with Grover and Annabeth, go on a quest to retrieve it. With a book by Joe Tracz and music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki, this mythological adaptation stays relatively true to Riordan's novel, making it a joy to watch a childhood story come to life on stage.

Given The Lightning Thief's ensemble-based nature, Bordentown's cast had commendable collaborative energy throughout the scenes and musical numbers. The Oracle, portrayed by many cast members speaking and singing in unison, was a stand-out moment for the ensemble. As a whole, the cast's enjoyable energy created a buzzing atmosphere from Camp Half-Blood to the Underworld.

Leading the cast, Gabriel Planas-Borgstrom (Percy Jackson) grounded the heroic, charming teen in realistic acting choices and skilled vocal technique. His notable stamina, given the demands of the character, impressed audience members throughout the performance. Additionally, Planas-Borgstrom's comedic timing shone during scenes with Mitchell Reames (Grover) and Naomi Pirani (Annabeth).

Portraying two distinct characters is no easy feat, yet Jake Sfraga, playing both Luke and Ares, did so with ease. His ability to distinguish between the characters was organic and skilled. Mitchell Reames's humorous portrayal of Grover was heartwarming, and during songs such as "The Tree on the Hill," Reames displayed the depth of the character masterfully. Olivia McGlone as Hades brought incredible energy and originality to her featured role. Her sassy yet cunning interpretation of the God of the Underworld, exhibited through her stellar physicality, was the highlight of the production.

Technically, The Lightning Thief Pit was extremely successful at playing the pop-rock score. Although the pit overpowered some vocals at times, Makayla Coleman, in charge of sound, quickly readjusted the levels. Given a show with many technical aspects, Rachel Schiariti, the Stage Manager, thrived. Each of Schiariti's cues was timely and efficient. The customized t-shirts denoting the cabin numbers of the campers, a creative touch by costumers Victoria Danao and Adi Omolade, added nuance to the production.

Overall, Bordentown Regional High School's "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" was a heartwarming experience for the audience members and demigods alike!

Malak Ibrahim
Upper Merion Area High School
Submitted for publication to WordPress Site and Cappies Page

Bordentown's mythically marvelous performance of "The Lightning Thief" was well worth the "Drive"!

Based on Rick Riordan's book of the same title, "The Lightning Thief" follows teenager Perseus "Percy" Jackson on a quest pulled straight from Greek mythology. With his best friend Grover and new friend Annabeth, the dynamic trio embark on a mission to find and return Zeus' lightning bolt. The fate of the universe rests on Percy's shoulders as a godly war starts to brew.

Between the skilled technicians, the pit's well-balanced playing, detailed costuming, and, of course, the actors' show-stopping performances, Bordentown brought a beloved book to life!

Gabriel Planas-Borgstrom (Percy) balanced his comedic scenes and songs while still portraying emotionally moving songs such as "Good Kid". On stage for almost the entirety of the performance, Planas-Borgstrom's voice did not falter, and his commitment to character paid off. Even when not the focal point of the scene, Planas-Borgstrom remained engaged in the show, elevating the performance.

Although not a lead, Mitchell Reames's rendition of the beloved satyr Grover provided many memorable highlights. His voice and demeanor encapsulated the groovy, environmentalist feel of the 70s. While he and Planas-Borgstrom were comical together, Reames held his own throughout, notably in the somber song "The Tree on the Hill". Likewise, Annabeth (Naomi Pirani) was able to show off her impressively high vocal range with consistency. Mr. D (Caroline Hubbard) and Gabe (Candace Farrell) added much-needed comic relief to the show, rousing laughter across the auditorium. Charon (Anna Madden) brought the house down with her energetic performance of "D.O.A.". Last but certainly not least, Olivia McGlone shone as Hades, reimagining a traditionally male character.

With a minimalist set, a heavy focus was placed on the other technical elements of the show. The sound team, led by Makayla Coleman, did a stellar job at managing a number of body mics and being on cue with every sound effect. Costumers Victoria Danao and Adi Omolade managed to personify every character down to the smallest detail, with their work on the Camp Half-Blood t-shirts customized to each cabin. Of course, the show would not have been possible without the beautiful accompaniment of the pit orchestra.

All in all, Bordentown managed to put on a stellar and "Strong" performance of "The Lightning Thief!"

Julia Halpern
Harriton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies Page

Bordentown Regional High School strikes the audience with their outstanding performance of "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical!"

Based on the popular fantasy novel, "The Lightning Thief" tells the complex tale of teenage half-blood, Percy Jackson. Before discovering the many secrets about his identity, Percy was a kid who just couldn't seem to stay out of trouble. After getting expelled from yet another school due to the shenanigans he would find himself caught in, Percy winds up at Camp Half-Blood. There, he learns that his absentee father is Poseidon, explaining the complicated experiences Percy had in the mortal world. To Percy's surprise, having a powerful god for a dad is not welcomed at Camp Half-Blood, so Percy must clear his and his father's name through a quest. With the help of fellow half-bloods Annabeth and Grover, he must return Zeus' stolen lightning bolt to the King of the Gods himself, while braving the long journey to the underworld and learning who he can trust along the way.

Though their cast was small, Bordentown's leads and ensemble had their own unique energy and approach that brought the story to life onstage. The crew did their part flawlessly, specifically the pit, hitting each of their musical cues to match the comedic timing and enhance the dramatic moments.

Leading the cast phenomenally as Percy was Gabriel Planas-Borgstrom. Planas-Borgstrom was extremely impressive vocally, showing off his extensive vocal range throughout the musically-driven production. Planas-Borgstrom's portrayal of the naive, yet determined Percy Jackson felt incredibly natural, and the stamina that Gabriel demonstrated must be praised. With not a moment offstage, he stayed present and gave a consistently high-energy performance.

Naomi Pirani (Annabeth) and Mitchell Reames (Grover) played the perfect supporting duo. Pirani's beautiful vocals went hand in hand with the smart yet authoritative persona she brought to the role. Reames stole the hearts of the audience from the beginning with his lovable and charming portrayal of Grover. Another noteworthy performer was Olivia McGlone in her featured role of Hades. With the short amount of time she had on stage, McGlone packed an unforgettable, powerful, and hilarious punch.

With the story being based around Greek mythology, the costume and props department led by Victoria Danao, Adi Omolade, Ashley Castillo, and Gia Scozzaro, produced some impressive pieces that truly enhanced the theme and the atmosphere. Most notable were the costumes for the Minotaur and Mr. Brunner/Chiron. The Minotaur included not only a realistic bull's head and suit, but multiple pieces of armor as well. Mr. Brunner's costume was a fully dimensional portrayal of a centaur, with a complete torso of a horse attached and trailing behind him.

In a tale of friendship, loyalty, and grit, Bordentown Regional High School did not disappoint in bringing this beloved fan-favorite to life, from off the page and onto the stage.

Emily Chung
Delaware County Christian School
Submitted for publication to Cappies Page

Bordentown Regional High School reinvents the meaning of summer camp as the cast of "The Lightning Thief" takes on monsters, quests, and middle school.

Based on the best-selling novel by Rick Riordan, "The Lightning Thief" premiered Off-Broadway in 2014. The show follows Percy Jackson, a troubled 12 year old boy, as he discovers that he is the son of Poseidon and attends Camp Half Blood, which is for demigods. Accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt, Percy must go on a quest to retrieve it, accompanied by his best friend and satyr, Grover Underwood, and the girl of his dreams, Annabeth Chase. Running into trouble every step of the way, the trio finds themselves having to battle through many obstacles to complete their quest.

Bordentown Regional High School tackled this show with incredible creativity, passion, and enthusiasm. The well known story was brought to life through the cast's impeccable comedic timing and stellar vocals.

Gabriel Planas-Borgstrom's portrayal of Percy was nothing short of extraordinary. His powerful voice, matched with his character choices and stunning delivery of lines, culminated in a performance that Riordan himself would applaud. Taking on such a beloved character is no easy feat, and Planas-Borgstrom brought Percy to life in compelling and unimaginable ways.

The supporting and featured characters were very strong, with standout performances from multiple actors. Naomi Pirani's (Annabeth's) voice was as clear as a bell, and Mitchell Reames (Grover) seamlessly wove through being a hilarious sidekick throughout the show and introspective narrator in "The Tree on the Hill". Jake Sfraga was a stellar performer, intricately and heart-wrenchingly drawing the audience into Luke's storyline. Other spectacular performances include: Candace Farrell as Clarisse, Anna Madden as Charon, and Emily Vaneekhoven as Aunty Em.

The technical aspects of the production were nearly flawless.The microphones, run by Makayla Coleman, had very few issues and all actors were able to be heard loudly and clearly. The pit orchestra sounded amazing, and they coordinated well with the voices of the cast. The creative elements of the show were particularly impressive, with smooth transitions from pen to sword and great use of props for the more whimsical elements of the show.

Bordentown Regional High School put on one monster of a show with powerful performances all around, leaving the audience wanting more.