From the Page to the Stage

This assignment was for my Greek Mythology Class, it is written in short essay form. We were assigned to compare and contrast the musical and the book The Lightning Thief. The Theatre Department at Anderson University (the college I attend) performed the musical, and it was fabulous.

Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief is a creative and witty book that blends Greek mythology into the modern world through the story of Poseidon's son, Percy Jackson as he learns to navigate life as a son of a god. In 2019, it became adapted into a musical, where the story itself shifted from an internal perspective to an external one. Both of these versions allow for the reader or viewer to follow Percy along his journey to retrieve Zeus’s lightning bolt. However, there are several key differences between the musical and book, including the personality of Percy Jackson, the removal of key scenes, and the portrayal of the gods. 

One of the most obvious differences between the musical and book is how Percy is portrayed. While reading the novel, one is able to gain understanding about Percy’s personality through his ongoing internal commentary that lasts for the entirety of the book. The reader is able to connect with him on a deep and meaningful level. For example, the reader observes how his ADHD and dyslexia affect him constantly. In the musical, this is almost entirely absent. There is one song where the audience members are able to receive a glimpse of his personality and emotions. “Good Kid,” allows the audience member a small glimpse into the workings of Percy’s thoughts, and it allows them to understand his struggle of feeling like an outsider. 

Another key difference is that many important scenes were removed from the musical. If one had not read the book, they would most likely be lost while watching. One scene in the book, which many believe to be crucial to understanding the strength and determination of young Percy, Annabeth, and Grover is removed entirely. This scene takes place at the abandoned water park where they accidentally fall into a trap that Hephaestus created to capture his wife, Aphrodite, in her love affair with Ares. While trying to retrieve Ares's shield from the ride, they accidentally activate the trap resulting in Percy, Annabeth, and Grover to act as a team to escape. This scene brings to light the intense powers that Percy possesses as he uses them to control the water in the ride to propel them to safety. We also see them secure the shield and learn of Annabeth’s fear of spiders. Unfortunately, this scene is completely absent from the musical. Even though there is no possible way to incorporate every scene from the book into the musical, this particular scene allows the reader to see the extremity of the quest, its dangers, and the teamwork of the leading characters. 

Yet another variation can be found in the portrayal of the gods and villains. In the book, the gods are both mysterious and intimidating, striking a true fear in Percy and his companions. The musical presents them in an almost comedic fashion as they downplay their powers and intensity. Something that remains similar in both the book and musical is the love that Percy’s mother, Sally, has for Percy. Her sweet-nature and her willingness to do whatever it takes to protect her son is portrayed accurately in both.

While both the book and musical tell the same core story, each offers a different experience for those either reading or attending. The novel allows for the reader to possess a more personal connection to Percy’s quest, and the musical presents the story in a fast-paced humorous fashion. This comparison shows how the medium truly affects the telling of the story, as the musical had to adapt and change many aspects of the book in order to fit within the seventy-minute production. 

Works Cited

Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Disney/Hyperion, 2005.