The Tour-One-One

How does one predict the exact moment that lightning will strike? Assuming you're not Marty McFly and haven't traveled from the future, the next best thing is to look for signs that a storm's abrewing.

And for two years, I've been battening down the hatches.

In May 2017, I showed up at one of New York City's off-Broadway theaters to experience some mystifying little show called The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. To my great surprise, I discovered that this homegrown production was killing it every evening at the Lucille Lortel theater.

Sadly, I'd caught the production at the end of its run and the show was slated to close within a couple weeks of my amazing discovery. I did what I could - I caught it once more before the closing - but I couldn't stomach the idea that it could be going away for good.

After all, I'd been one of the lucky ones. I just happened to be living in New York where the show had opened, so I had access. But what about all the fans of the YA book series that the show is based on that weren't one of the ones with access to the city that never sleeps?

Well, there was nothing for it. It simply had to come back. And in the meantime?

I told my friends. I told my family. I told you. I was especially over the moon when the cast recording was released since one of this show's strengths comes from the stellar songs which have joined the prestigious ranks in my Spotify musicals playlist.

All the while, The Lightning Thief Musical's official instagram account was dropping extremely cryptic messages, maddening little things that made bewildering declarations like "Look for a sign" ...

What was I supposed to do? Just ignore it?

I hoped that the show would return to the Lucille Lortel theater in New York. There was a demand for it and the original run had been too short. But if it returned, would the original cast return? Would the show be the same as the fabulous production I'd seen? And would people still come from the far corners of the earth to see their favorite teenage demigod take on the monsters of greek mythology in musical format?

Every time I listened to that soundtrack, I kept remembering that this wasn't just something I'd invented. This was a good show with a strong story and even better songs. In my dizziest daydreams, I dared to wonder if this little off-Broadway musical could go on tour.

Well, guess what was announced in August 2018? After all of our watching and waiting, half-bloods could rejoice: The Lightning Thief was going on a national tour.

It only took two years for this show to make its wonderful return into my life. The weird thing was that, of all the places, the show started its national tour in The Oriental Theater in Chicago, the very theater I grew up attending shows at (my strongest memories of that place are from seeing Wicked all of those times, walking in under the Oriental's marquee which had replaced all of its white lightbulbs with green ones).

Just over a week ago, I got to see The Lightning Thief start its national tour in my home town. This show, which brings me back to the simple fun of theater for kids, made its debut in the very place I'd seen so many shows as a child.

Although two years is a long time to wait, it also gives you time to convince your chosen loved ones to see the show with you as soon as they have the opportunity.

So last week, I found all of my dreams had come true. Despite the weather's attempt to snow down Chicago (a rather weak attack on Satan's part, considering Chicagoans are proud survivors of some of the most consistently ugly weather in America), I found myself, once again, walking under The Oriental's lighted marquee to watch the show I'd been waiting for. Sitting next to some of my greatest friends in the world, I got to see this show I've been waiting to share with them for what feels like a long time.

I mean, does it get any better than this? I freaking love theater.

And I'm delighted to report that there had been very few changes made from the production I saw at the Lucille Lortel two years ago. The Oriental is a much larger theater than the Lortel, so I was a bit worried that the show wouldn't have as much comedic impact in a larger space. I was worried for nothing though. One of the great joys was being next to my friends as they heard the jokes for the first time and experienced the comedy and inventiveness of the show.

The whole place was ecstatic - and, I might add, totally sold out. This was the Saturday evening show, and despite the weather, the place was packed. And it wasn't just packed with people who were mildly interested. This was people who had gotten these tickets as soon as the tour was announced, who applauded when their favorite characters first came on stage, and who gave the cast a standing ovation.

There was also that magical little sense that you only get at the theater when an especially good song that everyone nows is about to start. Those first couple notes begin and everyone whispers in anticipation. The people who came out to this show knew the songs from repeated listening to the album on Spotify and they couldn't wait to hear them live.

Here's the list of tour dates and locations for The Lightning Thief this year. Don't miss it!

Lightning has struck Chicago and - would you believe it? - I was there to see it.