Hadestown

  

Way Down Hadestown!

    I hope you're ready for tale of love and loss. Hadestown is centered around the legendary Greek myth of lovers Orpheus and Eurydice, with added attention to the struggling marriage of gods Hades and Persephone. Narrated by the Greek god Hermes, the plot of Hadestown is driven by the 3 Fates, who influence and manipulate the actions and thoughts of the characters. Whether or not you know the Greek legend and the way it ends, the show is an incredibly moving and powerful adaptation, with a overarching message of hope: hope that things may work out, hope that you can make a change, hope that not everything is inevitable. Without further ado, let's dive right into our critique of Hadestown!

Stephen Lovekin, variety.com

With my playbill!

History

    Hadestown was written by Anaïs Mitchell and first premiered in 2006 in Vermont, and ceased performance in 2007. Mitchell released an album version of Hadestown in 2010. In 2012, Mitchell partnered with director Rachel Chavkin, and began working to open Hadestown on an Off-Broadway stage, where it debuted in 2016 and ran for 2 months. With a good amount of success, Hadestown moved to perform in London and Edmonton, until finally making it's official Broadway premiere in 2019. An updated cast album was released later that year. Hadestown was greeted with immense success, and received 14 Tony Award Nominations at the 73rd Tony Awards, and won 8 of them. At the time this article was written, Hadestown has full intentions to reopen after the extended Broadway shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Who's in the Cast?

    I'll be introducing the Broadway cast, because that is the performance I was able to watch, and there have been a few changes throughout the many difference performances of Hadestown, from Vermont, to Off-Broadway, to the United Kingdom, to Broadway. 

    André de Shields stars as narrator Hermes, who interacts with both the audience and the characters. Reeve Carney portrays the love-sick musician Orpheus, and Eva Noblezada plays his love interest, the independent and cautious Eurydice. Patrick Page takes on the role of Hades, lord of Hadestown, and Amber Gray plays Persephone, goddess of Spring and wife to Hades. Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzales-Nacer, and Kay Trinidad make up the 3 Fates. 

Overview

    The show begins with the song Road to Hell, where Hermes introduces himself and the characters to the audience. The Fates then describe the harsh times in which Hadestown is set (Any Way The Wind Blows). Orpheus and Eurydice meet, and Orpheus falls in love with her immediately, asking her to marry him (Come Home With Me). Eurydice is hesitant, thinking that a marriage to a musician won't provide her with a stable and secure life, but Orpheus is persistent, saying that the song he is working on will make spring come again, and that she will never go hungry or needy again. (Wedding Song). Orpheus demonstrates what he's written so far, a story of love (Epic 1). Meanwhile, Persephone is back from Hadestown, where she spends 6 months each year, to spend her remaining 6 months up on Earth. She brings wine and has a celebration (Livin' It Up On Top). Hermes admits that he is fond of Orpheus, although he feigns neutrality, and that despite her attempts to refuse Orpheus, Eurydice started to fall in love with him too (All I've Ever Known ("In spite of herself...") [Intro]). Orpheus and Eurydice pledge to always love and be there for each other (All I've Ever Known). 

    Time passes, and Hades comes to Earth on a train to fetch Persephone and bring her back to Hadestown, and she laments being forced to spend time in Hadestown. She grumbles about the harshness of the factory in Hadestown, while the Fates seem to praise the factory (Way Down Hadestown). With Persephone gone, winter arrives, and Orpheus continues to write his song, while Eurydice fears the cold and stormy weather (A Gathering Storm/Epic II). In Hadestown, Hades and Persephone are fighting, with Persephone complaining about being forced to stay in Hadestown, and Hades berating her selfishness. Hades claims that if Persephone won't enjoy the factory he's built, he'll find someone who will. Orpheus is too absorbed with writing his song, and does not notice the storm that Eurydice is trapped in, and she calls out desperately for his help. The Fates take what little food and clothing she has, and taunt her. The action builds up as the storm reaches its peak (Chant). 

Hades leaves Hadestown and meets the scared and lonely Eurydice, and convinces her to join him in Hadestown, assuring her she'll love it there (Hey Little Songbird). The Fates convince Eurydice to go, saying she needs to consider her own survival (When the Chips are Down). Eurydice complies, and Orpheus, still busy writing his song, doesn't notice (Gone, I'm Gone). Hermes tells Orpheus that Eurydice has gone to Hadestown (Wait For Me ("Hey, The big artiste...") [Intro]), and Orpheus declares he's going to bring her home, not by Hades' train but by walking (Wait For Me). Meanwhile, Eurydice has begun working in and around the Hadestown factory with other workers (Why We Build the Wall). Hades has Eurydice sign papers agreeing to work for him, not knowing the full consequences of her actions (Why We Build the Wall ("Behind closed doors...") [Outro]). 

    Act II opens with Persephone introducing herself the band (Our Lady of the Underground). Eurydice realizes that she is stuck in Hadestown, and is not allowed to leave unless Hades gives her permission; in essence, Hades now owns her (Way Down Hadestown (Reprise)). She understands the consequences of her actions, and regrets leaving (Flowers). Meanwhile, Orpheus has arrived in Hadestown, not by Hades' train but by walking. He find Eurydice and tells her he's come to take her home, but she and the Fates tell him that Eurydice is not allowed to leave without Hades' permission (Come Home With Me (Reprise). Orpheus confronts Hades, but Hades tries to scare Orpheus off (Papers ("You're not from around here, son...") [Intro]). The Fates encourage Orpheus to give up his efforts to save Eurydice (Nothing Changes). Orpheus sings about his despair, and both the other workers and Persephone overhear. The workers are inspired to revolt against Hades, and Persephone is moved by the love Orpheus has for Eurydice (If It's True). Persephone asks Hades to let Eurydice go to Orpheus, and compares their own relationship and lack of love to Orpheus and Eurydice, while Hades stubbornly refuses to let Orpheus take Eurydice home (How Long?). Hades decides to let Orpheus sing to him, seeing how influenced Persephone was. He tells Orpheus that it takes more than singing to keep a woman, but he allows Orpheus to sing nonetheless (Chant (Reprise)). Orpheus, having perfected the song he was working on, presents it to Hades. The song follows the story of love once shared between Persephone and Hades (Epic III). Eurydice is overjoyed that Orpheus has finally finished his song, and encourages him to take her home. The workers are inspired, and believe if Orpheus and Eurydice are able to leave, they can leave Hadestown too (Promises). Hades was very much affected by Orpheus's song, and the Fates outline his struggle: if he keeps Eurydice, she becomes a martyr and icon to the workers, but if he lets her go, he becomes a pushover and will lose control of the factory and workers (Word to the Wise). He decides to leave the question of Eurydice's leaving up to Orpheus: he can lead Eurydice home, on the condition that she follow him out and he not look back to see if she is following (His Kiss, the Riot). 

    Hermes tells Orpheus and Eurydice what Hades' deal is, and Orpheus questions if it is a trick, to which Hermes assures him it's not (Wait For Me ("If you wanna walk out of hell...") [Intro] [Reprise]). Orpheus begins to lead Eurydice out of Hadestown, the way he came in. Persephone, also moved by Orpheus' song agrees to give her relationship to Hades another chance, when she returns after spring (Wait For Me (Reprise). Orpheus and Eurydice are almost out of Hadestown, when Orpheus looks back, doubtful that she is there, and as a result, she is lost to Hadestown forever (Doubt Comes In). 

    Hermes takes the stage and begins to tell the story again. He relays the message that, no matter how many times they tell the story, people always hope for a happier ending; this is why they tell the story (Road to Hell (Reprise)). After the curtain call, the cast sings one final song to reinforce the idea of hope, even when all seems lost (We Raise Our Cups).

Thoughts

    Where is a cat to start? Wow. I can understand why this show won 8 of the 14 Tony Award Nominations. Let me start with the message. I too, hoped for a different ending, although I knew the story well. It seemed too unfair that after all his work to bring her home, Eurydice was lost to Hadestown, and we don't get to find out if Hades and Persephone made it work between them. And yet, that's the beauty of the show. This isn't a musical to see if you're looking for some cutesy performance that ties up the loose ends. It's full of depth and despair. It's moving. It's fresh, in a sense that things don't end up working out for the characters. And it truly is hopeful. 

    Character time! I'm going to start with Patrick Page. His portrayal of Lord Hades was phenomenal. And THAT VOICE. It's so rich and deep and soothing, and when you combine those factors with the coldness of Hades, you get one incredibly stellar performance. In contrast, Amber Gray does a paw-some job exuding the intoxicating fun and cheer of Persephone when she is on Earth, and the sullenness of her character when she is stuck in Hadestown. She truly provided a thrilling performance, and you can tell she loves what she does. Reeve Carney was a perfect fit for Orpheus. His vocal range is spectacular, and he plays the innocent, romantic musician incredibly well. Eva Noblezada does a fantastic job of portraying the cautious yet sassy Eurydice. The way she displays powerful emotions as Eurydice experiences love, despair, joy, and hopelessness show the mark of a remarkable actress. André de Shields is extraordinary as Hermes. He gives a fun side to the character, and helps keep audience engagement alive. And the Fates. Not only are their voices incredible together, but the way they push the storyline at times and fade into the background at others is astounding. They're always there, but the way the incorporate their way in and out of the story is amazing. 

    The stage has a very cool set up, with rotating floors, able to raise up and down for some incredible entrances and exits. It was very clever to have a large staircase leading up to Hades' office, to show his power over the workers down below. And having the pit orchestra behind the stage, for the audience to see, was also and interesting but appreciated move. At times, members of the pit orchestra even join the actors on the stage, which I though was a paw-some idea, breaking barriers between the show and reality. 

    I would recommend this show to lovers of Greek mythology, romantics, and those looking for brighter days. It truly is interesting, how even though the show does not have a happy ending, you leave the theatre reflecting on the idea of hope. I encourage anyone with the opportunity to see this show to attend it (even though there weren't any cats). It's not your average happy-go-lucky performance, but that's what makes it so unique and moving.

    

Ratings

Find the rating scale here.

Soundtrack          ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Acting                  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lighting               ⭐⭐⭐

Set                        ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall                 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cat rating             ⭐

Best song: Chant

Best actor: Amber Gray

Best (and only) set: The stage

Fun Facts!

• Eva Noblezada (Eurydice) and Reeve Carney (Orpheus) are together as a couple both on the stage and off! 
• 2 of the most notable Tony Awards that Hadestown received were Best Musical and Best Original Score.
• Hadestown is a sung-through musical, meaning there is little or no spoken dialogue; the story is told almost entirely through song.
• Orpheus is the son of a Greek Muse, most likely the Muse Calliope, patron of Epic Poetry.

Works Cited

“Hadestown.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadestown.