The cast member most familiar with Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson novels is easily Abi Pendley.
“I’ve read all of them. There are 30-something books. I’ve read them all, and I keep rereading them,” said the 17-year-old Lakeside High School rising senior, who is part of the Augusta Junior Players June 13-14 production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.”
Abi started reading the books in middle school and could instantly relate to the main character.
“I loved them so much because I have ADHD, and he’s just like me,” said Abi of Percy Jackson.
Abi also got hooked on the music from the show long before auditions for it.
“I’ve listened to the tracks so many times. I love the musical and for me to be a part of it and see it come to life is cool because I know all the stuff behind it,” Abi said.
Abi has found Easter eggs in the musical along the way such as a character’s line of 1949 which is a nod to a character in the third book, “The Titan’s Curse,” which is Abi’s favorite.
Director Roy Lewis doesn’t know the ins and outs as well as Abi does, but he does know that the show has great themes that he can expound on. Lewis, a retired educator, often uses productions to teach life lessons.
Since the main character has ADHD, the show brings up the opportunity to talk about “acceptance, not bullying, treating each other fairly. Everyone has a special gift, and you have to find that gift,” Lewis said.
“The Lightning Thief” is a “dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling book (that) opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.”
A cast of about 35 teens will bring “The Lightning Thief” to the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School’s stage at 7 p.m. June 13 and at 3 and 7 p.m. June 14. For tickets, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s a Georgia Press Association winner and the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
hey, I know that kid, she’s pretty kool