Step into the ancient world of Greek Mythology with ‘Live from Mount Olympus’
When young Perseus makes a rash promise to save his mother from the clutches of an evil king, he has to strike out on a dangerous quest. Hermes, the god of luck and thieves — played by Hadestown's André De Shields — is our host for this tale of terrifying monsters, powerful gods, and a brave girl who will change our hero’s life forever. Combining the talent of contemporary theater with the power of Greek myths, “Live from Mount Olympus” is an audio adventure for audiences of all ages.
Joining TRAX by way of the Onassis Foundation, this richly imagined audio drama is co-produced by the Brooklyn-based theater ensemble The TEAM, directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) and Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical), and created by Peabody Award-winning producer Julie Burstein.
From top left to right: Julie Burstein (Co-Creator and Producer), Laura Elliott (Associate Producer, the TEAM), Rachel Chavkin (Co-Director), Libby King (Actor), André De Shields (Actor), David Schulman (Sound Designer), Ian Lassiter (Actor), Divine Garland (Actor), Zhailon Levingston (Co-Director/Actor), Jacob Margolin (Actor), Lucas Miller (Intern, The Onassis Foundation), and Jillian Walker (Actor)
Embark on this hero’s journey by listening to episode one and a bonus episode today, but first, meet the team that made it all possible. We spoke with the creative team of LFMO about the show’s origin story, how Broadway performers adapted to remote podcast recording sessions, and why Greek myths continue to inspire curiosity with listeners of all ages.
What sparked the idea for “Live from Mount Olympus”?
Julie Burstein, co-creator and producer: Shortly after the Onassis Foundation asked me to develop a podcast, I talked with a friend who teaches 7th Grade Language Arts in Newark, NJ. She told me that her students were always asking her when they would get to the Greek gods, and she had to say “Never” because Greek myths aren’t on the statewide standardized tests.
I thought of all the hours I spent listening to my parents read the myths to me and reading them with my own children. These stories are so full of wonder and action and humor and questions, which could make them so much fun to bring to life through audio drama. And audio is the perfect medium for this age (well, really for any age!) because when you listen, you get to create all the pictures in your imagination.
Why did you choose to do a podcast to tell the story of Perseus?
Perseus drawn by Jason Adam Katzenstein
JB: As we developed the project, we spent a lot of time exploring different myths and debating whether to begin with stories of the gods or with a hero. We chose Perseus because his hero’s journey offered us the chance to do both: Perseus is guided by the gods Hermes and Athena.
It’s an exciting story of a boy who doesn’t really know much about his own history. Through his experiences on a dangerous quest, he becomes able to figure out who he is and what he’s capable of. Plus, he gets to play with all kinds of magical equipment – from winged sandals that let him fly to a helmet that makes him invisible. And there are some amazing women and girls in his life, including his fierce and loving mother, Danae, and Andromeda, who is just as brave and spirited as Perseus himself.
Who is “Live from Mount Olympus" made for, and what do you want listeners to take away from the show?
JB: “Live from Mount Olympus” is made for listeners who love adventures. We are especially excited to share the series with young listeners who are eager to dive into a great story, to let their imaginations carry them away to a time long ago, and to engage with characters who are not all that different from young people today (except perhaps in their access to magical equipment). After listening to the series, we’d be thrilled if a listener wants to explore more of this rich and vivid world of Greek myths and ancient culture. Listeners can visit our website onassis.link/olympus to learn more about our podcast and the Greek myths.
What scenes or aspects of the podcast are you most excited for listeners to hear?
Rachel Chavkin, Co-Director: I think I’m most excited for listeners to hear the sequence where Perseus enters Medusa’s cave and has to confront this moment of truth — guided by his mentors Hermes and Athena. It’s got awesome action, and also raises some really potent questions about right vs. wrong and what makes a monster. Divine Garland, our lead performer, also captured beautiful vulnerability in this sequence.
Zhailon Levingston, Co-Director: I’m so excited for listeners to hear our young actors who are playing Perseus and Andromeda so brilliantly capture the feelings of budding romance, friendship, and adventure with a chemistry that is unteachable and thrilling to hear develop over the season.
This is the first venture into podcasting for The TEAM. How are the stage experiences of the group incorporated into “Live from Mount Olympus"?
RC: I think our personal intimacy as a group is what translates, earned by years — and in some cases, decades! — of collaboration. We also take enormous delight in making each other laugh or doing things we’ve never done before since we’ve known each other in so many different contexts over the years.
ZL: The TEAM really specializes in what I call advanced playing, which is to say, an ability to channel their inner child with rigor and fearlessness. That energy is only amplified through this series with our actors given full permission to use their vocal instrument to voice characters we’ve all held in our heads with new life, and splendor, and curiosity!
“Live from Mount Olympus” is brought to TRAX by the Onassis Foundation, whose mission is to “create the conditions, explore the ideas and trigger bold discussions that shape and shake society.” How does this podcast fit into that mission?
Karen Brooks Hopkins, Executive Producer and Onassis USA Senior Advisor: The Greek myths, like all timeless stories, feature astonishing, larger than life characters that face great obstacles and somehow, through both divine intervention and human ingenuity--prevail. These enduring tales, on a grand scale, mirror our own lives as we too struggle to find ways to overcome all kinds of moral, political, and social challenges on the path to adulthood. The Greek myths are part of the DNA of the Onassis Foundation — reflecting both our heritage and stated mission.
What makes TRAX a good network for “Live from Mount Olympus"?
JB: It’s our great good fortune that PRX was developing TRAX at the same moment that we were creating “Live from Mount Olympus.” We knew from the beginning that this series would be for tweens, and we are thrilled that TRAX is focused on new programs specifically for that wonderful audience! It’s also lovely to be in the excellent company of the other great programs on the TRAX network.
Learn more about “Live from Mount Olympus,” the Olympian gods, and the impressive voices behind them at onassis.link/olympus.