While some teens have been busy during the pandemic shutdown recording TikTok videos, a 15-year-old from Laughlintown has gone a big step further.

Lanigan McCulty created “Greece Lightning the Musical,” which will be staged this weekend at the Diamond Theatre of Ligonier.

Granted, he might have an advantage over the average teen — his mother, Leigh Ann McCulty, owns the theater and Lanigan has been involved in several of her original stage productions.

“Greece Lightning” is the first one he’s done almost exclusively on his own, from writing the book, adapting songs, and choreographing to casting, directing, set design and lighting.

His right-hand man and stage manager is his friend and fellow Ligonier Valley High School rising sophomore, Landen Laskoski of Ligonier Township.

Twist on the classics

“Greece Lightning” draws inspiration from Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey.”

“I’ve always loved Greek mythology — history is really my thing,” Lanigan says. “But as much as I love staying historically accurate, I put a little twist to it. I felt the audience would be more satisfied without the sad ending” of the myths.

That’s where the popular 1978 movie, “Grease,” comes in. Lanigan noticed that the movie and the classics had similar beginnings, similar themes of intrigue and similarities among some of the characters.

His Zeus and Paris both meld with the movie’s ultra-cool Danny, portrayed by John Travolta. Helen of Sparta echoes Olivia Newton-John’s innocent Sandy.

“Zeus gets in trouble with the female mortals. Paris is the lover of Helen — he’s like John Travolta but less charming, less of a ladies’ man,” Lanigan says. “The mighty Gods of Mount Olympus know how to have a good time and get into plenty of trouble.”

For the music, Lanigan created adaptations of popular songs to illustrate the action.

The core of the musical was written in about two weeks.

“I had some extra time in quarantine, and I pretty much worked nonstop,” says Lanigan, who also plays football and baseball at LVHS.

“When he asked me about doing the musical, I wasn’t too surprised,” says Leigh Ann — after all, Lanigan has been making up stories since he was in kindergarten. “I was confident in his ability and pleasantly surprised with the results.”

Cast of 20

Auditions for the cast of 20, ranging in ages from 8 to 18, were done virtually. They’ve been rehearsing for about two months, Leigh Ann says.

“I’ve been (at rehearsals) to guide the process, but Lanigan is doing it himself,” she says. “I told my husband, it’s nice to have a break and let someone else do the work.

“At the beginning, I told (the cast), ‘Lanigan is younger than some of you, but you have to respect him and listen to him’; and he’s been directing them well,” she says.

She adds that she’s been impressed with the spirit of friendship, cooperation and respect that has developed among cast members — who include Lanigan’s younger siblings, Mariana and Arison.

“He’s been directing his siblings since he was little, trying to get the right shot and for them to do exactly what he envisioned,” Leigh Ann says.

It’s all in preparation for a career Lanigan envisions in the film business.

“I would love to go to film school,” he says, noting that his top choices are the University of Southern California or Point Park University.

Leigh Ann notes that attendees at the musical will be asked to wear masks and undergo temperature checks. Seating will accommodate social distancing.

“It’s such a big theater, we’ll have room for everyone,” she says.