THE LIGHTNING THIEF Officially Announces Broadway Run

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:26am

http://www.playbill.com/article/the-lightning-thief-the-percy-jackson-musical-is-heading-to-broadway

Updated On: 8/12/19 at 11:26 AM

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:27am

This is hilariously stupid.

[teatime2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:29am

Six...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:31am

teatime2 said: "Six..."

 

You’re right. That ones just been around so long that I didn’t even think of it  

 

[copskid949]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:34am

n2nbaby said: "This is hilariously stupid."

The production? Sure.

The announcement time? Of course.

The material? Actually pretty good.

At least we’re getting original works!

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:40am

When there are complaints about too many movie to musical adaptations this is easily one that can be pointed to. 

[perfectliar]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:46am

Mike Barrett said: "When there are complaints about too many movie to musical adaptations this is easily one that can be pointed to."

Except it's based on a book.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:49am

perfectliar said: "Mike Barrett said: "When there are complaints about too many movie to musical adaptations this is easily one that can be pointed to."

Except it's based on a book."

This is true. But, there is also a poorly reviewed film adaption as well. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:50am

And it definitely follows the plot of the book a lot more closely than the movie did

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:50am

perfectliar said: "Mike Barrett said: "When there are complaints about too many movie to musical adaptations this is easily one that can be pointed to."

Except it's based on a book."

And they've specifically tried to distance themselves from the movie, and have the approval of Rick Riordan, the original author, and there's a new Rick Riordan book coming out a few days after previews begin.  This could be pretty big if they market it right.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:50am

I think the fact that it’s already been on tour and made a lot of money that way. So really it’s just a reinvestment. Plus, they don’t have to pay for sets or development or any of that. And if the Longacre was gonna sit empty anyway, I think it’s not the stupidest idea. Also, another option for families that’s not Disney (and Disney prices) is always welcome.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:51am

Very smart that it is limited run. Great compromise with the producers and fans. Congrats to them!

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:53am

I know nothing about the show, but the promo material is giving me Be More Chill tease. 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:53am

I think they could do some joint marketing with Hadestown, especially since they're right across the street from each other.  It would be a great way to unite Hadestown fans and BMC fans, which comprised a lot of online feuding during Tony season this past year.

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:54am

MollyJeanneMusic said: "perfectliar said: "Mike Barrett said: "When there are complaints about too many movie to musical adaptations this is easily one that can be pointed to."

Except it's based on a book."

And they've specifically tried to distance themselves from the movie, and have the approval of Rick Riordan, the original author, and there's a new Rick Riordan book coming out a few days after previews begin. This could be pretty big if they market it right."

I also feel like being open during the holidays might help. 

[cjmclaughlin10]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 11:55am

InTheBathroom1 said: "I think the fact that it’s already been on tour and made a lot of money that way. So really it’s just a reinvestment. "

How do you know the tour is making money?  Do they report grosses?   I would be curious to see them 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:07pm

MollyJeanneMusic said: "I think they could do some joint marketing with Hadestown, especially since they're right across the street from each other. It would be a great way to unite Hadestown fans and BMC fans, which comprised a lot of online feuding during Tony season this past year."

1. But exactly where does Lightning fit in with this? All BMC fans will automatically be Lightning fans?

2. No production needs to unite anyone...they need to sell tickets.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:08pm

They are actually gonna ask us to pay full price admission for a TYA show.

[littlemouse921]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:10pm

InTheBathroom1 said: "I think the fact that it’s already been on tour and made a lot of money that way. So really it’s just a reinvestment. Plus, they don’t have to pay for sets or development or any of that. And if the Longacre was gonna sit empty anyway, I think it’s not the stupidest idea. Also, another option for families that’s not Disney (and Disney prices) is always welcome. "

Does anyone know if Disney is involved with this at all? They own the rights to the books, but did they just license out the stage rights?

[copskid949]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:10pm

dramamama611 said: "MollyJeanneMusic said: "I think they could do some joint marketing with Hadestown, especially since they're right across the street from each other. It would be a great way to unite Hadestown fans and BMC fans, which comprised a lot of online feuding during Tony season this past year."

1. But exactly where does Lightning fit in with this? All BMC fans will automatically be Lightning fans?

2. No production needs to unite anyone...they need to sell tickets."

Responding to point 1, there’s a bit of crossover but not much. It’s just that general “I like theatre so I’m a quirky tween audience,” although Lightning Thief has an advantage thanks to the college kids and twenty-somethings who still have nostalgia for it.

As for point 2, maybe the similar source material could attract Hadestown audiences? Honestly tho I agree, uniting does nothing if nobody’s buying tickets.

[Sauja]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:20pm

This all felt so unlikely to be coming in this fast, but sometimes the gossip is all correct! Well done to those of you who spread the word! 

 

I don't know much about the show, so I will say only that it is my sincere hope that everyone keep an eye on their spelling and the difference between "lightning" and "lightening." Thrilled to see everyone's got it right in this thread so far! 

 

Two new scores now this season, so at the very least that's heartening!

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:20pm

I’m assuming since it begins previews in 5 weeks, we’ll see little if no new casting from the tour. 

I’m truly not sure how this is going to play out in the long run. Yes, there’s quite a few empty theaters this fall, but that doesn’t mean throw a show in to fill space. I’m all for people giving things a go, but can TLT sustain a 16 week run? 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:21pm

copskid949 said: "dramamama611 said: "MollyJeanneMusic said: "I think they could do some joint marketing with Hadestown, especially since they're right across the street from each other. It would be a great way to unite Hadestown fans and BMC fans, which comprised a lot of online feuding during Tony season this past year."

1. But exactly where does Lightning fit in with this? All BMC fans will automatically be Lightning fans?

2. No production needs to unite anyone...they need to sell tickets."

Responding to point 1, there’s a bit of crossover but not much. It’s just that general “I like theatre so I’m a quirky tween audience,” although Lightning Thief has an advantage thanks to the college kids and twenty-somethings who still have nostalgia for it.

As for point 2, maybe the similar source material could attract Hadestown audiences? Honestly tho I agree, uniting does nothing if nobody’s buying tickets."

Also for point 1, the original Grover off-Broadway was George Salazar, and Joe Tracz and Stephen Brackett both worked together on BMC, so a lot of the fanbase is the same.

[kaykordeath]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 12:24pm

How did the sets/production of the Beacon/Tour compare to the production at the Lortel?

[Pose2]

Posted: 8/12/19 at 3:06pm

Did tons of people ask for this? Who is actually excited about this one?