Jorge Rivera-Herrans has captured the hearts of millions with “EPIC: The Musical,” a project over five years in the making. The pre-release phase of this loose adaptation of “The Odyssey,” — the development of which has gained more than 50 million likes on TikTok — came to a close Dec. 25, 2024, with the release of its ninth and final saga, “The Ithaca Saga.”
“EPIC,” a fully sung-through two-act musical, is a nearly two-and-a-half hour emotional rollercoaster. Rivera-Herrans released 40 songs across nine concept albums, or sagas, over two years, documenting Odysseus’ (Rivera-Herrans) perilous return to Ithaca after the Trojan War. After the release of all nine sagas, Rivera-Herrans released a separate album containing the full musical.
“The Ithaca Saga,” which includes the musical’s final five songs, gives the story the beautiful conclusion it deserves, taking the listener through a wide range of emotions as one of the most action-packed sagas.
The saga’s first song, “The Challenge,” sets the scene for the finale as Penelope (Anna Lea), Odysseus’ wife, attempts to placate the men ruthlessly pursuing her, referred to as the Suitors. She offers them an impossible challenge — stringing Odysseus’ old bow, drawn too tightly to be successfully done by anyone else, and shooting through 12 axes. She promises her loyalty to Odysseus but ponders the meaning of a storm seen from Ithaca’s coast, the same storm that Odysseus released in “Six Hundred Strike,” the final song from the previous saga. Throughout “The Ithaca Saga,” continuous callbacks to previous sagas through score and song ensure that references contribute to the story effectively rather than holding it back. This callback, for instance, creates a clear transition between the scenes and allows the listener to draw their own connections.
Penelope’s line, “Cause I’d rather die than grow old without the best of you,” stands out as one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the saga, if not the whole musical. Odysseus has made his love for Penelope shine clearly throughout the musical, and now she returns this strong adoration. Her promise to continue to wait after 20 years and the raw emotion of the vocals allow the listener to imagine themselves in the same position.
However, none of the Suitors succeed in Penelope’s challenge, adding to their mounting frustration and bitterness, expressed further in “Hold Them Down.” In this song, Antinous (Ayron Alexander), the leader of the Suitors, decides they have waited enough and plan to take control of the situation by murdering Odysseus and Penelope’s 20-year-old son, Telemachus (Miguel “MICO” Veloso), who they have bullied for years.
“Here and now, there’s a chance for action / Here and now, we can take control,” the Suitors chant hauntingly, leaving the listener in sickening anticipation for what’s to come.
The Suitors fail — “Odysseus” marks the hero’s return to his palace, filled with rage at the Suitors’ plan. Musically, this song references the opening score of the earlier songs “The Horse and the Infant” and “Monster.”
Odysseus’ unstoppable nature and strength shines through as he leaves no living suitor, avenging the wrongdoings done to his family in his absence. The songs called back to are perfectly chosen, looking at who Odysseus used to be and the journey he has embarked upon.
Odysseus left on his journey when Telemachus was only a baby, and the two finally meet in “I Can’t Help but Wonder.” “EPIC” prominently features Telemachus’ yearning to meet his father, especially in the song “Legendary” from “The Wisdom Saga.” Despite his absence, it’s clear that Odysseus is a loving father, expressing excitement over finally meeting his son.
The musical’s finale, “Would You Fall in Love with Me Again,” reunites Odysseus with Penelope after 20 years. Odysseus laments that his journey has changed him and, unsure if Penelope will still love him, asks her to fall in love with him again. Penelope, finding it hard to believe he’s finally back, sings, “Is it really you standing there, or am I dreaming once more?” and asks him to move their wedding bed.
Odysseus thinks she is ending the marriage and reveals that the bed cannot be moved because it is carved into the olive tree where they first met. Penelope, knowing that only her true husband would know that, reaffirms she’ll always love him, singing, “I will fall in love with you over and over again / I don’t care how, where or when.”
After 20 years of heartbreak, love, loss and challenges, Odysseus is finally home and able to rest. Despite everything he faced, Odysseus still defends his family and friends, with love as a driving force.
This finale doesn’t mark the end for “EPIC” by any means. According to The Guardian, “Rivera-Herrans and his team are in talks … to make an animated movie, and … to create a live-action stage show. Three video games are planned, with two already on the way.”
The transparency surrounding the creative process is a huge draw for fans, helping to break down the wall of secrecy that often comes with online productions.
Rivera-Herrans documented the creative process, including ideas, edits and rewrites, on TikTok. Most casting auditions were also held over TikTok and were fully open to the community. Not only did this effectively draw the community together during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also allowed fans to join the cast rather than only well-known actors.
“EPIC” is truly a beautiful piece of artwork, bringing “The Odyssey” to life in a new way. Every saga over the years has only grown stronger than the last, and Rivera-Herrans has showcased great promise with the completion of this concept album — something that can only be described as legendary.
