“EPIC: The Musical” is truly epic
In “EPIC: The Musical”’s new album “The Wisdom Saga,” we meet new characters and witness battles of wit and fists while listening to more expertly crafted music from Jorge Rivera-Herrans! I urge all those interested to listen!
“EPIC: The Musical” is a modern retelling of Homer’s Odyssey and follows the main character Odysseus’s journey home to his wife Penelope. Importantly, it is a concept album, meaning it is structured like a musical and the songs tell a story, but there is no on-stage component and all of the songs were recorded in a studio. We take a break from the main plot during “The Wisdom Saga” to focus on Odysseus’s son Telemachus and his newfound friendship with Athena.
In the first of five songs, “Legendary,” we meet Telemachus. He has grown up without knowing where his father is or even if he’s alive. All he knows of him are the stories of his father’s greatness, strength, and cunning, but Telemachus doesn’t believe he shares those qualities. Currently, 108 men are living in his house, eating his food, and trying to date his mom. He wants to be like his father so he can fight them, and all of the other monsters in the world.
In the next song, “Little Wolf,” Telemachus decides enough is enough, and fights Antinous, one of the suitors. At first, he’s losing, but Athena steps in to help him, saying, “I’ve no respect for bullies, those who impose their will. I’ve seen plenty enough to truly understand this kind of filth,” She coaches him through the fight, but Telemachus is still a beginner and loses.
In “We’ll Be Fine,” Athena admits she is helping him because she made mistakes with a friend in the past, and she is trying to make it up by helping someone else. She doesn’t tell him that her friend was his father though. Telemachus is just happy to have a new friend.
Athena decides to check on Odysseus after not seeing him for ten years in “Love In Paradise” and finds him on the island of Calypso, a goddess in exile. It is paradise, but Calypso’s island is still a prison. There is a magic boundary keeping either of them from leaving and Calypso doesn’t like that Odysseus doesn’t want to cheat on his wife with her. After seven years trapped there, Odysseus’s PTSD is getting worse and he is contemplating suicide. Athena realizes that she is the only one who can help him.
In the last song “God Games,” Athena petitions Zeus to release Odysseus and he offers to play a game. If she can convince all of the other gods, Odysseus will be released. She succeeds, but Zeus is mad because she wasn’t supposed to win. Zeus tries to kill her and it ends at this cliffhanger.
This latest installment of “EPIC: The Musical” is absolutely fantastic. It combines modern storytelling, creative interpretation, and amazing vocal performances with an ancient classic of literature to create a unique masterpiece the likes of which we haven’t seen since Hamilton. I highly recommend it to everyone interested in mythology, musicals, or adaptations in any form.