The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Percy Jackson just wants to be a normal kid. That wish is thrown out the window when he learns he’s a demigod who is the son of Poseidon. With his new friends Grover and Annabeth, Percy is thrust into a quest to prevent a war between the gods and learns to embrace his destiny.

Note: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical contains simulated violence and knife/sword fighting. It deals with themes of bullying, abandonment/neglect, and parental loss. There are moments of intense lightning and sound effects.

Suggested reading: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

Note: This show is presented in the John Viars Theatre. It is a full-length Broadway show. Weekend matinee times are slightly different from other Kate Goldman Family shows. Weekend matinee curtain times are 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Listen to the original Broadway cast recording on Spotify.

If ticket prices are keeping you away from this show, please fill out this form. We have Playhouse donors who have generously supported a limited number of pay-what-you-can tickets for distribution. Requests should be made prior to opening night.

Click here to download The Lightning Thief P Bill Jr.

Performance Times:
7:00 PM Fridays plus 7:00 PM Thursday, Mar. 19, 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM, Saturdays & Sundays
School Matinees:
10:00 AM, Tuesday, Mar. 10, & Thursday, Mar. 12, 2026
Theatre:
Kate Goldman Children's Theatre Presented in the John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
Playhouse family productions are intended for ages 5 and up.
Download Playbill

In the News

Interview with Maddie Davis and Chris Stamatelos, The Culture Buzz, KFMG 98.9, Feb. 25 2026

Interview with Maddie Davis and Chris Stamatelos, Hello Iowa, WHO-TV13, Feb. 26, 2026

Company

  • Charon / Thalia / Ares

    Annika Baker

    Charon / Thalia / Ares
  • Annabeth Chase

    Maddie Davis

    Annabeth Chase
  • Clarisse LaRue

    Oliver Gooch

    Clarisse LaRue
  • Katie Gardner

    Liliana Haaland

    Katie Gardner
  • The Oracle / Annabeth Understudy

    Stella Hogan

    The Oracle / Annabeth Understudy
  • Grover Underwood

    Spencer Mayfield

    Grover Underwood
  • Silena Beauregard

    Jeanella McKinney

    Silena Beauregard
  • Chiron / Poseidon

    Canaan Richardson

    Chiron / Poseidon
  • Sally Jackson / Mrs Dodds

    Sasha Smith

    Sally Jackson / Mrs Dodds
  • Percy Jackson

    Chris Stamatelos

    Percy Jackson
  • Gabe Ugliano / Aunty Em

    Jett Tyler

    Gabe Ugliano / Aunty Em
  • Luke Castellan

    River Wilber

    Luke Castellan
  • Ensemble / Percy, Grover, Luke Understudy / Assistant Fight Choreographer

    Melina Williams

    Ensemble / Percy, Grover, Luke Understudy / Assistant Fight Choreographer
  • Mr D / Hades

    Grant WIlson

    Mr D / Hades
  • Director

    David A VanCleave

    Director
  • Music Director

    Brandon Record

    Music Director
  • Choreographer

    Kent Zimmerman

    Choreographer
  • Scenic Designer

    Kurtis Nethington

    Scenic Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Jessica Van Essen

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Sam Stephen

    Lighting Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Ellie Friesen

    Properties Designer
  • Puppet Designer

    Kerrie Lee

    Puppet Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Kailee Martens

    Stage Manager
  • Fight Choreographer

    Erik Meixelsperger

    Fight Choreographer
  • Assistant Stage Manager

    Pilar Burg

    Assistant Stage Manager
  • Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Playhouse Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Maddie Davis is Annabeth, Chris Stamatelos is Percy Jackson, and Spencer Mayfield is Grover in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Maddie Davis is Annabeth, Chris Stamatelos is Percy Jackson, and Spencer Mayfield is Grover in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Percy Jackson (Chris Stamatelos, right) fights the Minotaur (left to right Stella Hogan, Jett Tyler, Annika Baker) in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Percy Jackson (Chris Stamatelos, left) fights the Minotaur (left to right Stella Hogan hidden, Annika Baker, Jett Tyler) in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Chris Stamatelos is Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

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  • Chris Stamatelos is Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Brent Isenberger.

    Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Mar. 22, 2026
Subject: The Des Moines Playhouse Presents: The Lightning Thief
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse presents the new musical The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mar. 6-22, 2026, in the John Viars Theatre. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is sponsored by Nationwide.

Percy Jackson just wants to be a normal kid. That wish is thrown out the window when he learns he’s a demigod who is the son of Poseidon. With his new friends Grover and Annabeth, Percy is thrust into a quest to prevent a war between the gods and learns to embrace his destiny.

The Playhouse cast includes Annika Baker, Maddie Davis, Oliver Blythe Gooch, Liliana Haaland, Stella Hogan, Spencer Mayfield, Jeanella McKinney, Canaan Richardson, Sash Smith, Chris Stamatelos, Jett Tyler, River Wilber, Melina Williams, and Grant Wilson. The Lightning Thief is directed by David A. VanCleave with music direction by Brandon Record, choreography by Kent Zimmerman, scenic design by Kurtis Nethingon, costume design by Jessica Van Essen, and lighting design by Sam Stephen.

The Playhouse mission, as one of Iowa's largest and oldest producing theatres, is to create extraordinary, shared experiences through live theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage. 

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Performances: Mar. 6-22, 2026

7:00 PM Fridays
1:00 and 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday
Additional show 7:00 PM Thursday, March 19

The Playhouse can provide for those who have the need for audio description or ASL translations with advanced notice. These services are free and reasonable accommodations will be made. Requests should be made through The Playhouse ticket office.

The Lightning Thief Tickets 
Tickets start at $15 for students and $20 for adults
To purchase: Dmplayhouse.com, 515.277.6261, or Des Moines Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Ticket office hours: Noon-5:00 PM, Tuesdays-Fridays, and 90 minutes prior curtain on show days

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Show Credits

Book by Joe Tracz • Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki • Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan • The Lightning Thief is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, www.concordtheatricals.com

Sponsored by

  • Nationwide