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A student reviews St. Andrew's Episcopal School's "The Lightning Thief," a musical that follows the plot of the first Percy Jackson novel.

By Langston Muller of Albert Einstein High School

St. Andrew's Episcopal School has put on “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” with electrifying results. The show, which follows the plot of Rick Riordan's first Percy Jackson novel, takes the audience on a wild adventure alongside the titular demigod as he navigates a new world of gods, monsters, betrayal and James Brown.

As Percy, Joel Crump presented himself with ample naïveté and spunk, qualities that made the character endearing in the first place. Additionally, Crump's incredible voice helped carry the weight of a show whose score was placed firmly on his back.

Aiding him was Charlotte Lobring as daughter of Athena, Annabeth Chase, who imbued the character with wit and charm aplomb while matching her costar's vocal skills beat for beat.

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Rounding out the main trio is Eliora Adu as Grover the satyr, who provided much of the show's comic relief. Adu lent Grover a nervous energy that propelled him throughout the show. However, he didn't forget to lend the character dramatic heft as demonstrated in his performance of "The Tree on the Hill." In this song, demonstrating Grover's guilt over a past failure, Adu was able to endear the character to the audience on a deeply emotional level.

Now, “The Lightning Thief” is quite a busy show, with the characters moving from scene to scene quicker than Hermes. This made the ensemble's ability to keep pace all the more impressive. The cast was tasked with playing a great number of characters, with all save for the main three doubling up on roles. However, they were all able to make each character distinct and memorable.

A standout in this area was Cameron Best, who played Percy's centaur mentor Chiron and an unnamed farmer. Best lent a dry wit to Chiron, which, combined with his excellent horse-like physicality, made the character a joy to watch. As the farmer, Best carried on this same level of effort and charm, which resulted in a drawling tractor operator who became an audience favorite.

Another performance of note was that of Lara Alarapon as Percy's mother Sally Jackson. Alarapon was able to seize the stage despite portraying a less intense or heightened character than her costars. She made Sally believable, which in turn made her chemistry with onstage son Crump quite palpable.

This veritable treasure trove of iconic performances was bolstered by the show's lighting, designed by Christina Rowe and Rebecca Piercey and operated by Vince Wayne. Characters were given their own signature colors, such as blue for Percy and green for Grover, which were mixed together in interesting and aesthetically appealing fashion throughout the show.

All in all, the entire show was simply a ball of entertainment. Everyone was having fun — audience, cast, and crew alike — and when you're watching a musical featuring a conversation with a squirrel, why wouldn't you be?

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This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

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Opportunities to reserve an apartment home before the public, attend exclusive events are among myriad of benefits

Community Contributor

When Steve and Laura Lodge heard that the former Marriott headquarters in Bethesda, Md., would evolve into The Grandview, a new Erickson Senior Living community, they were elated.

"We got wind that it was going to become an Erickson Senior Living community. We were excited because the location is so great," says Laura.

They were familiar with Erickson Senior Living, as Steve's parents had lived at Riderwood, an Erickson community in Silver Spring, Md.

Quality care

"The staff at Riderwood is so nice--they treated my parents really well. We have a great feeling about Erickson," says Steve.

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He explains how his dad's progression from independent living to assisted living was a seamless process because, as a continuing care retirement community, Riderwood has different levels of care all on site.

Eager to embrace a worry-free retirement, the Lodges joined The Grandview's priority list, which grants them right of first refusal on apartment homes as well as exclusive access to events and social occasions.

"I like that we will get first dibs on apartment home choice!" says Laura. "It's nice that we will get updates early, too. Plus, since the deposit is refundable, there is no risk."

"We knew that we wanted to downsize and stay in Bethesda, where we would be close to our two daughters. When we heard about The Grandview, it all just fell into place," adds Steve, who also liked that the timeframe for construction gave them plenty of time to plan their move.

Looking ahead, the couple is excited to take advantage of the community's array of amenities. Steve has his eye on the on-site bocce ball court, while both say the proximity to the Music Center at Strathmore is a real perk.

Longtime connections

Wendy and Jeff Cossman of Potomac, Md., also have a longtime connection to Erickson Senior Living. Wendy explains that one of her sisters lives at Brooksby Village, an Erickson community in Peabody, Mass., and the other lived at Riderwood.

"She had a lot of medical issues and, unfortunately, passed away," Wendy recalls. "George Mishraky, sales director of The Grandview, was serving as the sales director of Riderwood at the time. He was so kind to my family."

Wendy and Mishraky kept in touch over the years. When plans for The Grandview were being finalized, he reached out to the couple.

"The timing was perfect for us. We have a big house and need to downsize, so the fact that we have a couple of years to prepare is great," Wendy says. "We've had friends move into condos, so we've learned how you can adapt to a smaller space. The Grandview will give us the space we need, along with numerous amenities and activities to make new friends."

After learning more about The Grandview, the Cossmans also joined the priority list. "We are very healthy, active, and on the younger side, so getting on a path to a future move seemed like a good idea," says Jeff. "The location is perfect, as we will be close to our children and grandchildren. The new construction is also a draw."

The couple enjoys playing bridge and canasta, as well as traveling. Wendy is a dancer and a painter, while Jeff plays golf and is also an artist. They look forward to continuing these activities at The Grandview--and meeting other active, engaged residents.

Invest in your future at The Grandview. From top-notch amenities and activities to affordable, maintenance-free apartment homes, you'll enjoy living your retirement to the fullest. Request more information today!

The Grandview is pending approval from the Maryland Department of Aging.

By Gregory J. Alexander

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Bethesda-Chevy Chase

Michelle Hudacsko, chief of staff for Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, has resigned.

In an email addressed to Mr. Kamras and the RPS School Board less than a week ago, Ms. Hudacsko announced her last day of employment with the school division would be Feb. 28.

“It has been a privilege serving RPS students, family and staff over the past five years,” she said in announcing her resignation. She cited accomplishments during her tenure, including navigating the school division through the COVID pandemic, facilities improvements, managing the budget, the collective bargaining agreement and more.

But Ms. Hudacsko was critical of the “hostile and toxic environment that some members of the RPS School Board have created and actively perpetuate on a daily basis . . .,” and said the students ultimately pay the price for the often adversarial interactions between some members of the School Board and Mr. Kamras.

In his daily digital communication addressed to the division, RPS Direct, Mr. Kamras announced Ms. Hudacsko’s departure on Tuesday.

“Michelle is quite simply one of the most impressive people I have ever met,” he said. “We have worked together for 12 years and I’m still constantly amazed by her work ethic, intellect, thoughtfulness, dedication, empathy and humanity.”

He said Ms. Hudacsko will be remembered for the “thousands and thousands of so-called little things” she did for people. “She showed us all what it truly means to #ServeWithLove.”

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ms. Hudacsko worked as the deputy chief for Washington, D.C., Public Schools with Mr. Kamras before joining RPS with him. She began her career working for several years as a schoolteacher in Weslaco, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Potomac, Md. before working for a couple of nonprofit organizations focused on education.

Ms. Hudacsko is one of several members to leave Mr. Kamras’s cabinet since the start of his administration. Others have included Tracy Epp, former chief academic officer; Alan Gonzalez, former chief operations officer; Darin Simmons Jr., former chief operating officer; two chief talent officers, Jennifer Bramble and Sandra Lee; and Harry Hughes, former chief schools officer. Various reasons were given for their departures, ranging from a taxing commute schedule to medical reasons.

With Ms. Hudacsko’s departure, Shadae Harris, chief engagement officer for RPS, is the only original cabinet member who remains in Mr. Kamras’ administration.

On any given D.C. museum trip, most visitors brush dangerously close to fragile sculptures, ignore the religious art galleries and make their pilgrimage to Impressionism to take selfies with a Van Gogh or Renoir.

Hushed comments like, “I could have done that” gently echo throughout the modern art galleries, at which point guests often start thinking about what they might want for lunch. Hidden silently in the corners of these episodes are the doting museum guides, so passionate about art history that they want to amplify the experience for others.

“There is something about the space around a work, about being in the presence of something beautiful that draws us in,” says Eryn Peak, a Glenstone Museum guide. “This kind of pull that we see is why people want to get up next to things, see something from different angles and experience it in a very physical way.”

As a practicing fine artist and Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, Peak has forged her lifelong interest in art to a career path, using her museum guide job as her entry into the art industry. While she normally encourages guests to experience work in any way accessible to them, she often has to interrupt visitors who become so captivated by a painting, they want to have a tactile experience.

“I get that compulsion, but the biggest thing is don’t touch,” she says.

In a more hands-off approach, museum guides and exhibiting artists alike have the same advice for viewers of artwork: to approach it with as much emotion as possible.

“Whenever you’re looking at art, I think it’s important to be honest with how it makes you feel,” says Jessica Devilbiss, a Maryland-based exhibiting oil painter. “A lot of times, people try to contextualize it in a way that’s educational or even scholarly, and I don’t think it needs to be all of that.”

Devilbiss’s paintings ruminate on themes of nostalgia, place and mental health but she enjoys when viewers walk away with a different interpretation.

“I find a lot of people try to figure out what the meaning is,” she says. “Ultimately it’s about the feeling you personally are getting from the artwork, not necessarily what the artist meant to say.”

Peak recommends applying these same emotional tools for works of art the viewer doesn’t particularly like, and trying to identify what details in the art are evoking those feelings.

“I think a lot of people are quick to dismiss a work they don’t understand, or that they think is telling them something they don’t like. There is something fun about not liking a work that sometimes adds to the experience.”

While wearing practical clothes and shoes helps alleviate the physical strain that comes from a day spent at a museum, doing so often makes people feel underdressed for the occasion because of the cultural air that surrounds gallery spaces.

“There is this sense that museums are a formal space,” Peak says. “I think people feel like they have to prove that they’re supposed to be here and letting go of that is important.”

Devilbiss suggests a simple mindset shift that elevates any museum experience.

“Some museums don’t always feel as welcoming as others, but I find that if you just welcome yourself into the space, that is most helpful.”

Glenstone Museum: 12100 Glen Rd. Potomac, MD; glenstone.org // @glenstonemuseum

4 Art Museums to Get You Started

National Museum of Women in the Arts NMWA always offers an empowering, feminist experience to visitors walking through its galleries solely dedicated to female artists. NMWA is currently closed for renovations but will be reopening this October. 1250 New York Ave. NW, DC; nmwa.org // @womeninthearts

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The Phillips Collection America’s first museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art is quietly tucked away in the heart of Dupont Circle. The special exhibits are always powerfully thought-provoking, and the permanent Rothko Room is a sweet meditative space. $10-$16. 1600 21st St. NW, DC; phillipscollection.org // @phillipscollection

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Art Museum of the Americas The AMA of The Organization of American States (OAS) holds one of the largest American collections of contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art. The architecture and gardens of this museum are just as breathtaking as the works housed inside. Free. 201 18th St. NW, DC; museum.oas.org // @amamuseum

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Glenstone Museum Glenstone integrates its expansive collection of post-World War II artwork with thoughtful architecture and tranquil nature, creating a serene space for guests away from the bustle of the city. Free. 12100 Glen Rd. Potomac, MD; glenstone.org // @glenstonemuseum

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