Stage Adaptation of THE LIGHTNING THIEF to Strike Off-Broadway this Summer

Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for young audiences, presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the new musical THE LIGHTNING THIEF as the featured production of its 26th annual Free Summer Theatre Program in New York City.

THE LIGHTNING THIEF begins performances on Monday, July 21, 2014 at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) and continues through Friday, August 22, 2014.

Opening night is set for Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, THE LIGHTNING THIEF is the story of Percy, a 12-year-old boy who journeys into a world of mythological monsters and Greek Gods as he struggles with dyslexia and ADHD -- as well as coming to terms with a father he has never known -- while solving the mystery of Zeus' stolen lightning bolt.

Directed by Stephen Brackett (Buyer and Cellar) and choreographed by Sam Pinkleton (Machinal; Natasha, Pierre and the Comet of 1812), THE LIGHTNING THIEF features a book by Joe Tracz (Epic feature film) with music, lyrics and orchestrations by Rob Rokicki (Strange Trails).

THE LIGHTNING THIEF stars Eric Meyers (Lord of the Flies) as Percy Jackson, Jordan Stanley (At the Edge) as Grover, Graham Stevens (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Chiron, Kristin Stokes (Fly by Night) as Annabeth and Zakiya Young (Stick Fly; The Little Mermaid) as Sally/Clarisse. Additional casting will be announced soon.

The production features scenic design by Lee Savage (Satchmo at the Waldorf), costume design by Sydney Maresca (Hand to God), lighting design by Drama Desk Award winner David Lander (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), and sound design by Carl Casella (A Night with Janis Joplin). Rokicki also serves as music director. The production stage manager is Eileen Lalley.

Launched in 1989, the mission of Theatreworks USA's Free Summer Theatre Program is to provide New York City youth with their own theatre tradition that not only entertains, but also educates and fosters positive values and an appreciation for theatre. This summer 15,000 FREE tickets will be distributed to THE LIGHTNING THIEF.

"Grey's Anatomy" star Kevin McKidd serves as the Honorary Chair for this year's Free Summer Theatre Program. McKidd starred as Poseidon in the 2010 Fox Pictures feature film adaptation Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief."

Tickets for THE LIGHTNING THIEF are FREE and are available on a first-come, first-served basis in-person at the Lucille Lortel Theatre Box Office (121 Christopher Street) on the day of the performance. Tickets for each day's performances will be distributed beginning one hour prior to the first performance of the day. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per adult per day.