Chris McCarrell to Lead National Tour of The Lightning Thief

The producers of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical have announced that Chris McCarrell will reprise the role of Percy Jackson in the musical's upcoming national tour, which launches in Chicago in January 2019. McCarrell originated the role in its 2017 off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

"I've never been done with Percy," said McCarrell about returning to the role. "Even during our closing night off-Broadway, I knew it wasn't my last time playing him. To me, Percy symbolizes my scattered youth, the seemingly aloof boy who adults rarely seemed to get. Percy is the rock star who came out of that. I always said it would take a special show for me to pack up and tour, and The Lightning Thief is just that. It blew up while we were in New York and too few half-bloods were able to see it."

The Lightning Thief is described as follows: "Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can't control, has monsters on his trail, and is on a quest to find Zeus's lightning bolt and prevent a war between the Greek gods. Normal is a myth when you're a demigod. Based on the best-selling Disney-Hyperion novel by Rick Riordan, featuring live music, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed theatrical adventure that will rock your world."

Directed by Stephen Brackett, the show has a Drama Desk-nominated book by Joe Tracz, music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki, and choreography by Patrick McCollum. The creative team also includes set design by Lee Savage, costume design by Sydney Maresca, sound design by Ryan Rumery, lighting design by David Lander, fight direction by Rod Kinter, and orchestrations by Wiley DeWeese and Rob Rokicki. The production is being presented by special arrangement with Rick Riordan and the Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.