The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Music, Lyrics, and Orchestrations by Rob Rokicki
Book by Joe Tracz
Directed by Stephen Brackett
Choreographed by Patrick McCullum
“The tuneful, pop-rock score featuring such songs as "Put You in Your Place" and "Another Terrible Day." Although it delivers some positive messages — "Normal is a myth/Everyone has issues they're dealing with," Percy's mom sings — the show never stoops to the sort of preachifying so common in theater geared to kids.” –Hollywood Reporter
“Thief is everything a rock musical should be.” –Erik Meers, Uinterview
“Still, the action rarely flags thanks to Stephen Brackett's sharp direction; Rob Rokicki's spirited songs; Joe Tracz's lucid book, which is easy to follow even if you don't know the novel.” –Raven Snook, TimeOut New York
“With a book by Joe Tracz and music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki, the zippy production addresses sexism, loneliness and parental neglect, but champions friendship and smart, independent choices — at lightning speed.” –Fern Siegel, Huffington Post
“The music was also outstanding, and the songs were very catchy. One thing we found cool was that the music was by a live band instead of being a recorded soundtrack. Our favorite song from the show is “Bring on the Monsters,” because many of the characters sang the song together. When this song played, you could hear and see the characters’ strength and perseverance. We found ourselves singing along from our seats.” –Kid Review, Newsday
“With a book by Joe Tracz and music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki, The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical embraces the clever energy and fun teen angst of the books. The songs skillfully flesh out the characters and their relationships with each other to lend the play stronger emotional weight all while keeping the energy and enjoyment high.” –StageBuddy
“The songs were great and the acting brought a wondrous fiction story into the AMAZING!!! world of theater. Songs like “Good Kid” and “Grand Plan” talk about those feelings about being the outsider and wanting to prove your worth. Every song is a gem and the final ‘Bring On the Monsters’ well, I started crying.” –Front Row Center
“A spectacular final product that will be loved by fans for years to come.“–Odyssey Online
“Rob Rokicki and Joe Tracz went back to the original source material and have written a stunning musical that will instantly make you a Percy Jackson Fan 4 Lyfe.“ –YES Broadway
“The music (also by Rob Rokicki), despite the range of subject matter (the hilarious “Another Terrible Day” or the heartfelt “Good Kid”), is foot-tapping, catchy pop. This also allows The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical to provide a few heartwarming lessons about being normal to children without being preachy about it.” –Pop Culturist
“The brilliant composer, Rob Rokicki, has crafted at least one standout number for pretty much the entire cast.” –Hypable
“[Rokicki] incorporates different musical styles, from the lilty “Campfire Song,” where the kids work out their parental frustrations in lines like “Oh things couldn’t be worse/when your parents run the universe,” to the R&B “D.O.A.” in the Underworld (more on that later). Pop-y beats and belty ballads successfully take Camp Half-Blood to the musical stage.” –Riveted
The Lightning Thief
One Hour TYA Adaptation
Music, Lyrics, and Orchestration by Rob Rokicki
Book by Joe Tracz
Presented Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre by TheatreworksUSA
Nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical
"The musical’s book, by Joe Tracz, and music and lyrics, by Rob Rokicki, strike a tone that’s sassy though not snarky, and energetic without being hectic." -Ken Jaworowski, NY Times
"Joe Tracz has culled the main plot points from Riordan's book and compressed them into a taut 60 minutes that manages to make room for no fewer than 14 musical numbers by Rob Rokicki, whose well-crafted lyrics not only propel the action but deliver solid messages." -Pete Hempstead, Theatre Mania
"Sam Pinkleton's energetic choreography partners dynamically with Rokicki's vibrant music." -Pete Hempstead, Theatre Mania
"Songs like 'The Day I Got Expelled' and 'In the Same Boat' are very catchy…but the story’s point is one of self-acceptance: “Normal is a myth,” Percy’s mom (Zakiya Young) sings. 'Everyone has issues they’re dealing with.'" -Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post
"The songs, by Rob Rokicki, are of the pop-rock variety and a few are pretty funny, like the pun-filled 'In the Same Boat' (good luck trying to get that one out of your head. My kid is still singing it days later). Some are moving, too, with lyrics like, 'Normal is a myth—Everyone has issues that they’re dealing with.' Any kid who's ever felt like an outcast can relate to Percy, even if they don't have special powers." -Raven Snook, Mommy Poppins
Praise for Rob Rokicki: Back in London
"Rokicki’s songs offer a refreshing alternative to much of the balladry offered up in new writing. ***” –Jonathan Baz, Jonathan Baz Reviews
“Rob Rokicki delighted…making him one of the more exciting new writers in musical theatre. ****”–Jeremy Chapman, Musical Theatre Review
Praise for Rob's debut album "I'm Ready: The Songs of Rob Rokicki"
"Rob's songs live at that perfect intersection of musical theater and radio rock -- these are characters that get you in the gut, and that you want to listen to over and over again." —Adam Gwon, Fred Ebb, Frederick Loewe Award Winner
& composer of “Ordinary Days”
"Robert Rokicki is an exciting, passionate, specific new voice in musical theater. His is the theater of real human beings. Regular, every-day people who are stuck and not sure how to get themselves out of the mess they've made. I find his writing intelligent, inspired, and incredibly relatable. The songs are catchy without being obvious and smart without a hint of pretension. Sturdy, satisfying, thrilling stuff. This is meat and potatoes rock and roll musical theater. I am honored to be included on the album and look forward to screaming the songs at the top of my lungs while hanging with my friends in my parent's basement... wondering where the good times went and trying to figure out how we get them back." —Joe Iconis, Larson and Kleban Award Winner
& composer of “Things to Ruin”
Love, NY
Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Book and Lyrics by Michael Ruby
"The songs were upbeat and livelythere were laughs throughout, and as in many musicals, when the story got a bit grim it bounced back with a song to put things into perspective." -Tobias Franzen, DC Metro Theatre Arts
"Written by Ruby and Rokicki the melodies and lyrics are clever and laden with meaning. The songs are sure to get stuck in your head." -Julianna Novak, DC Theatre Guide
Martha and Me
Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Book by Sunny Turner
"For the show, what's there are good songs (by Robert Rokicki, the foundation of a fine book, strong direction, eight excellent supporting actors…and one truly glimmering star performance. Rokicki's given everyone plenty to sing. His songs recall and eclectic mix of William Finn and Jerry Herman, intelligently composed, dramatic or funny as necessary, and strongly integrated in Turner's book…when he hits he scores a bills-eye: the exquisitely operatic first act finale, and the song he's written for the otherwise minor Missy, a hilarious paean to the man she can't stand but can't stand to be without, are both brilliant creations. (The latter is a modern riff on 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man,' but stands solidly on its own.) Allen drives the show with her commanding performance…her knockout voice is equally as suited to raising the rafters with a 'Rose's Turn'-style 11-o'clock number. It has all the potential makings of a very, very, good thing." -Matthew Murray, Talkin' Broadway
"Rokicki's songs are good and often hilarious…Jennifer Allen, with her rich, booming voice and superb comic timing, is wonderful as Betsey." -Ellen Carpenter, NY Magazine
"Show features a talented cast, witty songs…each song is tuneful and well sung. Allen provides a comic powerhouse finish in which she wails, 'Where Are You Now, Martha?'" John LaRue, NYTheatre.com
"It also doesn't hurt that Peter's solo, 'I Love A Boy' is one of the more simple and affecting numbers in Robert Rokicki's score, gorgeously sung by [Eric] Millegan." -Jonathan Warman, HX Magazine
"…in the Fringe musical 'Martha and Me'…[Millegan] sang Robert Rokicki's sweet song 'I Love A Boy.' -Playbill.com
Additional Press for Martha and Me:
"Martha The Musical Could Be The Perfect Humiliation" by James Doran, London Times
"Martha Stewart Won't Sing" by Eric Dash, NY Times