Rising composer and lyricist Jorge Rivera-Herrans debuts the final saga of “EPIC: The Musical.” This concludes the nine-saga concept album, which is portrayed through a single central story, loosely based on one of the most well-known poems of all time, Homer’s “The Odyssey.”
“EPIC: The Musical” is comprised of an astounding 40 songs, with the story being told through an entirely song-driven narrative. Herrans, creator of “EPIC: The Musical,” takes on the role of Odysseus with an utterly gripping performance. The musical follows Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after his decade-long fight during the Trojan War. Little does Odysseus know, it will take him just as long to return home as it took for him to battle in Troy.
The first portion of the concept album, “The Troy Saga,” sees Odysseus grappling with an unfathomable decision as he nears the Trojan War’s end. “The Cyclops Saga” comes next, with Odysseus facing off against Polyphemus the Cyclops. “The Ocean Saga” follows suit with Odysseus and his men as they are confronted with the wrath of Poseidon. Odysseus battles the goddess Circe in “The Circe Saga,” who has turned Odysseus’ men into pigs. The fifth set of songs in the concept album is “The Underworld Saga.” Here we see Odysseus entering the realm of Hades on a quest to find Tiresias, who informs him that his hope for making it home to his wife and son is nearing the impossible, ending Act I of “EPIC: The Musical.”
Act II begins with “The Thunder Saga,” seeing Odysseus and his men come face to face with sirens, the sea monster Scylla, and even Zeus. Immediately following this action-packed saga is “The Wisdom Saga,” where listeners are given a glimpse into what has happened in Ithaca during Odysseus’ absence. There we are introduced to the suitors, who are vying for the hand of Odysseus’ wife as she and their son attempt to keep them at bay as best they can. “The Vengeance Saga” follows Odysseus’ final stretch home once he is freed from the goddess Calypso, who has kept him trapped on her hidden island for seven demoralizing years. Odysseus’ journey culminates in “The Ithaca Saga,” as Odysseus arrives on the shores of Ithaca, only to find the suitors are planning to hurt his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. Odysseus becomes enraged, killing the suitors and reuniting with his wife and son.
The songs of “EPIC: The Musical” encompass a wide array of genres, which undoubtedly strengthen the nine-saga structure that the musical is hinged upon. The strongest songs of the complete concept album include the likes of “Just a Man,” “Suffering” and “God Games.” Arguably the most poignant song, however, is “Would You Fall in Love with Me Again,” which is fitting as it is the moment when Odysseus is finally able to reunite with Penelope after 20 long years. A heart-wrenching moment from the song reads, “I will fall in love with you over and over again. I don’t care how, where or when. No matter how long it’s been, you’re mine,” perfectly encapsulating the never-ending love that Odysseus and Penelope have for one another.
“EPIC: The Musical” has garnered a cult following online, which has only grown since the release of “The Ithaca Saga.” The production behind “EPIC: The Musical” is not conventional, but the musical benefits from this choice. Much of the musical’s fanbase began on the social media platform TikTok, due in part to Herrans’ decision to document his creative process throughout the five-year production of “EPIC: The Musical.” This is where many of the voice actors for the various sagas were discovered as well.
Odysseus’s story has always been a difficult one to tackle, and while the medium through which “EPIC: The Musical” is conveyed could seem to some as unconventional, the characterization of Odysseus and those around him is where Herrans’ interpretation shines. The praise that “EPIC: The Musical” has received as it concludes is an inspiration to artists everywhere and a source of much-needed entertainment for many.
