High school students play key roles in Waterloo musical of The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is based on the 2005 novel, The Lightning Thief. The show is packed with catchy songs, fast-paced action, and witty dialogue. It’s relatable and fun for a wide range of viewers—especially tweens, teens and young adults. Or as lunior Sailor White who plays Grover, said, “It’s an action-packed, humorous and heartwarming show that’s perfect for anyone who loves mythology, adventurous stories or just a good time at the theater.”

Opening night for the shows was Jan. 24, but shows will be running until Feb. 2. With a cast of 50 kids ranging from surrounding Cedar Falls and Waterloo schools. Director Alan Malone said, “It has been wonderful to witness the enthusiasm our cast and crew have for this musical and to watch so many new and returning actors get involved with the production.”

The Waterloo Community Playhouse picked out 11 theater productions to play throughout the year of 2025. Malone said they picked The Lightning Thief to go into 2025 because, “In the play and story Percy is searching for a place where he makes sense, a place and a community where he belongs. What he finds is that he can’t and doesn’t have to do it alone and that embracing his differences allows him to appreciate his own superpowers. The Lightning Thief shows the hardships, troubles and conflicts that children have to go through, the challenges and pitfalls of friendships, and the journey through young adulthood. Audiences of all ages will recognize these struggles and think about their own personal quests that they have faced during their childhood and young adulthood.”

Ellie Smith and Sailor White are both junior at Cedar Falls High School that love choir, band and musical theater. Smith has previously performed in Fame JR at the Cedar Falls Community Theater, as well as Greeks Gone Wild, Beauty and the Beast and The Cages We Build at Cedar Falls High School. 

Smith said, “The Lightning Thief is my debut show at the Waterloo Community Theater, and I’m so thrilled to be playing a main role. I auditioned firstly to be with my friends who are also in the show in, which I am incredibly grateful for. This includes my teachers and family who have supported me in so many ways through my musical endeavors. Although mainly I wanted to audition because I wanted to do something I loved to do in my freetime after school.”

White said, “At like the age of 10 I did read Percy Jackson and really liked it, but I was a bookworm. Auditions were back in October of 2024, and then I didn’t care what part I was, so I auditioned three of them and Grover was my second top pick, so I was over the moon when the cast list was posted. The Lightning Thief is my first production at Waterloo Community Playhouse, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Both Smith and White are also currently in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical at the high school, and they both said it’s been a struggle juggling both shows, but thankfully The Lightning Thief practices were mainly on the weekends with the exception to the dates leading up to opening night. 

Many students and their families have been eager to see the show. Eighth grader Rachel Lyons said, “I’m going to opening night with my parents and older sister to go cheer on my friend Elle Burke who plays Oracle. I really believe it will be an entertaining show.”

White said, “If you know me you would know that you have to come see the show. It has been a pleasure working with an amazing group of young actors because the Cedar Valley is strong with talent. The tech crew backstage and production team of designers bring this high energy rock musical to our audiences. Sit back, strap in and enjoy the ride.”

There will be shows Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 1 and 2 at 2 p.m. Adults are $15 and children are $10 a piece. For more information about tickets to The Lightning Thief, times, dates or how to audition for the other 10 musicals they will show this year, check out the website wcph.org for more information.