Greek singer Sakis Rouvas – known to local fans simply as Sakis – is notable for being up for a challenge from “shaking it” on the Eurovision stage in 2004 to Greek god Dionysus in Euripides’ “Bacchae” last year. Casting him as the Greek god of wine and revelry was considered a bold move by trailblazing director Dimitris Lignadis, but the risk paid off and the director is using him again in his new musical theater adaptation of “Hercules: The 12 Labors” that premieres in October at the Pantheon (former Athens Arena).

Rehearsals are taking place at a fast and furious pace with Sakis in the title role giving his all to do justice to the demigod. He’s been described in the past as the “13th god of Olympus” and had even spawned his own trail of teeny bopping “Rouvitses” even before Justin Bieber created his army of “Beliebers”.

Arguably, he’s a god, but if he’s good as Hercules remains to be seen, especially after Dwayne Johnson’s recent Hollywood blockbuster performance.

The presentation also includes other big names from the Greek scene, such as Roula Pateraki and Nathalia Dragoumi, and singer Lia Vissi will be in charge of vocals.

Some claim that he was the handsomest Dionysos ever!