Chicago On the Aisle - Recommended
"..."The Lightning Thief," a musical making a lightning pass through Chicago as the launch point of a national tour, is a charming, off-beat coming-of-age show. It's like the graphic novel brought to life - colorful, energetic, simpler than its busyness makes it seem. Still, in its benign fashion, "The Lightning Thief" proves agreeable enough, if a bit overwrought and underdone in the end."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Cult fans of this fantasy will find this two-hour chamber musical - only seven performers - faithful fun, as Joe Tracz's adaptation captures the highlights. It's blatantly effective at catering to adolescent rebellion, merrily morphing into a modern mythology, a pagan comeback to put Christianity into limbo. You too can be a very cool Greek god and upgrade your parents in the process."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Recommended
"...For entertaining your kids, Let's Play 'Recommends' this mythological event between this world and the next at Oriental Theatre. Your kids will love you for it!"
Around The Town Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...I may be a bit long in the tooth, or perhaps due to not having read any of the book series, but last night I was witness to a zany rock musical, "The Lightning Thief : The Percy Jackson Musical", and did not get into it. I noticed that the younger, milleniels were ,and they laughed at things that I did not find funny ( those who have ever sat near me, I am one of the better laughers- this one, NOT SO MUCH!)."
Chicago Theatre Review - Somewhat Recommended
"...So, if the preteen or teen in your life likes the Percy Jackson novels, then there is a pretty good chance they will enjoy this musical. And while I wish there were more for you in the show, you can spend the evening basking in the glow of how well you nailed their Christmas present."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...A cast of seven performers, all of them except Chris McCarrell as Percy playing multiple roles that demand rapid changes in costume and just as rapid changes in personality. They perform 18 numbers, a score filled with emotion and wit. Everyone on stage sings and dances with passion and exuberance during the two-hour two-act production and physical conditioning is not the least of the ensemble's many merits."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...Rokicki's score keeps the adventure upbeat. The songs have a rock and roll rebel tone. They are a series of self-discovery anthems for the young and old, the mortals and gods. Whether they are dancing (Patrick McCollum, choreography) or fighting (Rod Kinter, fight direction), the music gives this entire road trip pizzazz. The very last number, "Bring on the Monsters", sent me into the streets excited because Percy promised 'to be back next summer.' Sequel?! (fingers crossed!)"
Chicago Theater and Arts - Somewhat Recommended
"...Fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series about the trials and friendships among children of god and mortal coupling should understand and enjoy "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" now playing at the Oriental Theatre."
Chicago On Stage - Somewhat Recommended
"...This is a fun, often funny play, and if you don't ask for more than that you will probably enjoy it. Personally, I wish Tracz had developed Act Two more so that the quest so carefully built up to in Act One had more tension. But director Stephen Brackett and the production's designers (including some great sound design by Ryan Rumery) make the most of a light script and keep things enjoyable and entertaining. If you are one of the novel's millions of young fans, you're going to have a great time. But if you want depth of either character or storytelling, you'll be disappointed (though Annabeth's song "My Grand Plan" and Grover's "Tree On the Hill" do slow us down enough to make more of these characters). Still, things just happen far too quickly to seem much more than random. And that does not make for great theatre, though it can make for a light, fun night."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...THE LIGHTNING THIEF is a show packed with adventure, self-discovery, and friendship with great music to boot. It might not be the best fit for those who are looking for a more "adult" musical, but it's a great fit for those looking for a fun musical they can sit back and enjoy with the whole family."