Magic, monsters, and myths will come alive as Howell High School’s Performing Arts Department presents “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.” Performances are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, and Saturday, April 20, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Performances will be held in the Howell High School Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and can be purchased by clicking here.
“The Lightning Thief” is not just a musical; it’s an electrifying journey that brings Greek mythology to life. Audiences will join Percy Jackson (Lucas Nolen) as he discovers he’s a demigod and embarks on a quest with fellow demigod Annabeth Chase (Emily Studebaker) and his best friend Grover Underwood (Lucas Somers), a Satyr, to retrieve Zeus’ (Zachary Arens) stolen lightning bolt. This epic adventure is a testament to the power of friendship and courage.
“Bringing ‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’ to the stage at Howell High School has been an exhilarating journey.
“Our talented cast and crew have poured their hearts into creating a show that’s not just entertaining but truly divine,” said Joey Burgam, director of the production. “Audiences can expect a rollercoaster of emotions, from the high-energy musical numbers that will have them tapping their feet to moments that tug at their heartstrings. This show is an adventure that invites audiences into the fantastical world of Percy Jackson, where every turn reveals new challenges and the true power of friendship and courage.”
The Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center is located at 1200 W. Grand River Ave., on the north side of Howell High School.
Below are some of the featured performers:
Lucas Nolen
Age: 17
Parents Names: Daniel Nolen, Sarah Nolen
Siblings: Evan Nolen, Kyrsten Nolen
Year In School: 12th grade
Activities: Co-Captain of Calamity, Highlander Chorale, ITS, Tennis, vice president of Acappella, New Group, Advanced Drama,
Hobbies: Karate, piano, singing, hanging out with friends
Future Plans: Going to college for computer science
How did you get involved with the production?
I have been a part of the choir program since freshman year and was encouraged to audition for the spring musical. After a great first experience performing in a musical, I have been auditioning and performing ever since.
Have you been in any other theatrical productions? If so, what roles did you play?
I have been in 4 other productions taking on roles like Sky in “Mamma Mia!,” Tom in “Radium Girls,” and Drew in “Rock of Ages,” now playing Percy Jackson in my fifth-ever production.
What do you most enjoy about being part of the production?
I love getting to work with my close friends and make funny memories and the opportunity to perform with people I have been singing and acting with since my freshman year.
Who is/are your inspiration(s)? Why?
My brother Evan was my original inspiration, taking a role in the show The Addams Family, and being a part of everything performing arts. He would always come home talking about how excited he was working on all sorts of different performances and encouraged me to try it when I went to high school.
What’s your favorite part of the experience of being in the production?
I love getting to learn the dances for all of our fast energetic songs. As dance captain I get to learn all the dances regardless of if I perform them in the show.
What can audience members expect when they see the show?
An energetic show full of talented singers and actors who are lost in the woods, complain about their parents, and crack funny jokes.
Emily Studebaker
Age: 17
Parents Names: Tammy and Kevin Studebaker
Siblings: Abigail and Brooke Studebaker
Year In School: 12th grade
Activities: President of Acappella, Women’s Chorale, Highlander Chorale, Captain of Classicality, New Group, Advanced Drama, ITS, School Improvement Team, and the Main Four Newspaper.
Hobbies: Hiking, Camping, Reading, Singing, Traveling, spending time with friends and family.
Future Plans: College for Aerospace Engineering.
How did you get involved with the production?
I am very involved in the performing arts program at Howell and I have been involved in musical theater since I was in elementary school. I have been in all of the musicals during High School and I wasn’t going to miss my senior year show!
Have you been in any other theatrical productions? If so, what roles did you play?
I have been in 9 shows throughout my life. The most recent one was Mamma Mia where I played Lisa.
What do you most enjoy about being part of the production?
I have always loved the Percy Jackson books and Annabeth Chase has always been a favorite character of mine. I love getting to see the books come together through song and getting to see these characters I grew up with come to life.
Who is/are your inspiration(s)? Why?
My biggest inspirations are my sisters! They have always been so supportive of me and always push me to do my best. I am so incredibly grateful to have them in my life.
What’s your favorite part of the experience of being in the production?
I love learning the music. It is so fun to navigate different harmonies and hear them all come together up on stage.
What can audience members expect when they see the show?
You can expect a lot of amazing people putting their best show on. There are a lot of funny moments to look forward to throughout the show, but there is also a lot of depth to the characters. You get the joy of seeing lots of growth and development from the beginning to the end.
Lucas Somers
Age: 18
Parents Names: Robert and Christina Somers
Siblings: Dante Somers
Year In School: Senior
Activities: Chair of the National Honors Society Performing Arts Committee, Co Captain of the Guys acapella group Calamity, Co captain of the International Thespian Society, member of new group, Highlander chorale, Advanced drama, Acapella
Hobbies: Snowboarding, playing Piano, Acting, singing, spending time with friends and family, and watching sitcoms
Future Plans: I plan to persue a BFA in either Acting or Musical Theatre
How did you get involved with the production?
I began performing when I was little, and it is a passion that continues to grow. I try to be apart of as many productions as I can at the highschool and I’ve never missed a musical season!
Have you been in any other theatrical productions? If so, what roles did you play?
I have been in about 18 Productions, most recent include Mamma Mia! as Sam Carmicheal, Radium Girls as Charlie Lee, Rock of Ages as Lonny Barnett and A Midsummer Night’s Dream as Oberon
What do you most enjoy about being part of the production?
I enjoy the fun challenge of playing exciting characters, figuring out how they are feeling in a moment and how they grow from the start of the show to the end. Grover as a character is a great example of a character that goes through significant growth.
Who is/are your inspiration(s)? Why?
My parents are definitely one of my biggest inspirations, especially during the college audition process this year. They supported me and my ambitions as they always have my entire life, I truly could not have done it without them.
What’s your favorite part of the experience of being in the production?
Definitely running the show, I enjoy seeing it start and come together
What can audience members expect when they see the show?
There are many funny moments in this show, so you can expect to have lots of laughs. See how an adventure affects the lives of two young adults…and a half-goat.
Moss Schrock
Age: 17
Parents Names: Jason & Hollie Schrock
Siblings: Jonah, Alaina, Julia Schrock
Year In School: Senior (12)
Activities: Calamity, Highlander Choral, International Thespian Society, The Lightning Thief
Hobbies: Theater, Creating Videos to practice editing, video games.
Future Plans: Going to Northern Michigan University for Technical Theater and Design
How did you get involved with the production?
I was presented with the opportunity to assistant direct and Stage Manage this show.
Have you been in any other theatrical productions? If so, what roles did you play?
I have been in The Dining Room as Micheal, Billy, and David. Jack vs Jill in the role of Jack. Radium Girls as an Assistant Director and crew chief. Mamma Mia as Ensemble. Puffs as Co-Director and Crew Chief.
What do you most enjoy about being part of the production?
The cast, the music, and the story all go so well together and its a great learning experience for me.
Who is/are your inspiration(s)? Why?
My inspiration would either be Amanda Malo, for being such a kind and caring teacher, director, and person while doing what she loves. Or Mark Fischbach, for being able to create such amazing stories.
What’s your favorite part of the experience of being in the production?
Hearing the amazing music that the cast and pit create together while the cast dances with such precision
What can audience members expect when they see the show?
An emotional rollercoaster that will change how you see the world while experiencing amazing singing and dancing.
Zane Phillips
Age: 18
Parents Names: Jason Phillips, Melissa Sims, Lynn Phillips, Jeremie Sims
Siblings: Nathaniel Forsyth-Orr, Cerenity Sims, Isabella Phillips, Elliot Phillips, Oliver Phillips
Year In School: 12th Grade
Activities: Secretary of International Thespian Society, Co-Secretary of Spanish Honors Society, Librarian of A Cappella, Highlander Chorale, Marching Band
Hobbies: Playing Board Games, Collecting Coins, and Making Music
Future Plans: Studying Business Administration and Theatre Arts at Eastern Michigan University
How did you get involved with the production?
I got involved with this production by a process of trying to do all the shows I could in high school after getting hooked on theatre in middle school, and as it is my senior year I wanted to keep the streak going so I decided to audition.
Have you been in any other theatrical productions? If so, what roles did you play?
I have worked on eleven shows in total, including The Lightning Thief. Some past roles have been Joey Primo in Rock of Ages, Dr. Von Sochocky in Radium Girls, and Ensemble in Mamma Mia. I have also worked on the other side of the stage as the Audio Technician and Assistant Director for PUFFS, Co-Stage Manager for Murder on the Orient Express, and Spotlight Operator for 42nd Street.
What do you most enjoy about being part of the production?
I love the learning process of being part of the production and how the show always comes together at the end when you add all the technical aspects that really add the magic
Who is/are your inspiration(s)? Why?
My biggest inspirations are Robin Williams as he has had a profound impact on my approach to acting and through life as well as my mom who has always been by my side for my performances and pushed me to go after my dreams
What’s your favorite part of the experience of being in the production?
My favorite part of being in the production is telling a story through our performance with an amazing cast and crew that have been working tirelessly to move the crowd through incredible dance moves and songs.
What can audience members expect when they see the show?
Audience members can expect a rollercoaster of a ride that connects to everyone in one way, shape, or form and will leave you speechless with all the twists and turns that are coming your way
