Is it cliché to say that the show was electrifying?
Article originally published in the Student Approach on April 17, 2024. Photos by Anna Zuniga with the Polytechnic.
The RPI Players capped off their 94th Season with The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, performed April 5th-7th and April 12th-13th at the Russell Sage Schacht Fine Arts Center. Beyond a knockout cast and crew, the show was made even more incredible by the obstacles that the Players faced during production. Overcoming obstacles, relying on resourcefulness, and thriving in the face of chaos—that is the RPI way.
When I first entered the theater, I was surprised by the incredibly minimalist set. Downstage was entirely empty, with two stout black staircases leading upstage to a second tier. On each side of the second tier, four Greek-style columns stood proudly, linked by handmade banners representing the Greek gods. The backdrop was a simple projection of the RPI Players logo. Throughout the show, the Players brought various different set pieces—a whole toilet and a cow with alarmingly detailed udders are notable features. But holistically, the set was significantly more low-tech than what I’ve seen from the Players before.
The last page of the playbill gave the audience a taste of what had gone into this particular production: “In Honor of our one year anniversary of the destruction of Playhouse, without which we would not be here”. The Playhouse, a quaint farmhouse overlooking 15th Street, suffered severe flooding on Saturday February 4th, 2023, and has been out of commission ever since. Beyond the displacement of our Players from their beloved home, this also creates logistical challenges. Other venues, such as EMPAC and Russell Sage, charge the Players for their use by the day, meaning they cannot rely on long-term high-tech sets to carry the show.
But as my grandmother used to say, it’s an ill wind that doesn’t blow somebody some good. The Players didn’t just survive in this low-resource setting; they thrived. I found myself charmed by the analog world once more. The squirrel plush held up by a crew member hiding behind a bush, platforms of ocean-blue fabric swirling around Ares to swallow him up, the carriage that was mysteriously driven by a cow… these are the simple joys of live theater. I think the Players laughed as much as I did when Medusa’s head got caught in someone’s sweatshirt.
These challenging circumstances meant the Players had to get creative and resourceful to make it all work. It made for a much more interesting and engrossing show.
The cast’s electric energy shone so brightly that it would have distracted from anything else on stage anyways. I was in stitches every time Mr. D/Ares (Jonathan "Jack" Murry) stepped foot on stage. Clarisse/Charon (Danielle Za-Cara Pettway) glared daggers so intense I felt pinned to my seat. I was deeply Impressed by Grover (Tylar Pierce) making movement look so natural while precariously balanced in those hooves. Luke’s (Mark Belle-Isle) sword was more like a deadly extension of his arm, slicing so precisely through the air. Annabeth (Arwen Costello) was the standout I didn’t see coming, transitioning from a witty sidekick to a drop dead gorgeous solo describing her devastating case of Gifted Child Syndrome. It’s something we at RPI can relate to well. And Percy (Sterling Nowosielski) was so convincingly devastated by his mothers presumed death that it brought me to tears… and reminded me to call my own mother.
But no individual stood out more than “The Cast”, holistically. Each of the Players wore multiple hats, from the ensemble who played multiple roles, to the members who served as both production team and cast members. The most powerful emotional beats were hit when the ensemble’s voices clicked together like a puzzle, in numbers like “The Campfire Song” and the stunning finale “Bring On The Monsters”. Glancing over the playbill, at least 10 cast members served on the production team, including actors playing lead roles like Costello, Pierce, and Belle-Isle. Performing in a production of this scale requires commitment, especially in the face of challenge. From the audience’s vantage point, everyone was clearly committed to making this show the best it could be, overcoming every obstacle. Through it all, they had smiles on their faces, with energy pouring out onto the stage and captivating the audience.
The RPI Players demonstrated more than their technical capacities, their acting chops, and their ability to put on a good show this weekend. They demonstrated the true spirit of Rensselaer.
Counterclockwise from Top Right:
Clarisse (Danielle Za-Cara Pettway), Katie (Mary Hueston), Selina (Katy Write), and Luke (Mark Belle-Isle) singing in the "Prologue"
Fight scene between Percy (Sterling Nowosielski) and the Minotaur (Lorenzo Carta)
Annabeth (Arwen Costello), Grover (Tylar Pierce), Percy (Sterling Nowosielski), and Luke (Mark Belle-Isle) singing their hearts out in "Killer Quest"
Percy (Sterling Nowosielski) and Clarisse in "The Boys Bathroom" scene
Percy (Sterling Nowosielski), Grover (Tylar Pierce), and Annabeth (Arwen Costello) catching a ride with Ares (Jonathan "Jack" Murry)
Chiron (Maddox McCormick) talking with Percy (Sterling Nowosielski)
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