“And we will always raise them up/To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now.” From the moment the stage lights brightened and the cast walked out “Hadestown” captivated viewers and took them on an emotional, thought provoking journey to reflect on their lives.
The Broadway show “Hadestown” is based on ancient Greek mythology and carefully weaves together the tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice with the tale of Hades and Persephone. The show began with Greek god, Hermes introducing the characters and explaining that the story about to unfold is a sad one about two lovers, which they continue to tell again and again. During this scene, viewers also get introduced to the harsh and cruel world with only freezing cold and boiling hot seasons. This forced Eurydice to turn her back on the world, keeping everyone at arms length. However, this changes when she meets Orpheus; the exact opposite of her. Naive and innocent to the ways of the world, he immediately falls for Eurydice. She initially casts him aside, before realizing there’s something special about him: he has the ability to bring balance back to the seasons with song.
As the two fall in love, the seasons get harsher and surviving becomes more difficult. Hades calls Persephone back to the Underworld, causing a quick end to spring and bringing about a cruel winter. Orpheus continues to work hard on his song, meanwhile Eurydice is starving and cold. Eventually she is lured to the Underworld by Hades with the promise of food and warmth. When Orpheus finds out he is devastated and embarks on a quest to bring her back home.
What makes Hadestown such a unique show is its ability to blend these old tales with modern jazz and folk music. The musicians sit atop the stage on bleachers allowing the audience to see them play live, and feel the music. It’s such a prominent part of the play because of its ability to amplify the mood of scenes as well as mark the switch between the normal world and the Underworld.
Another way this transition is emphasized is through the stage. Similar to other Broadway shows, “Hadestown” features a revolving stage or turntable seemingly symbolizing the continuous telling of this tragedy. To denote the normal world from the Underworld, the innermost circle lowers down into the stage, hiding characters from the audience. This makes it all the more dramatic when Eurydice leaves and descends.
“Hadestown” is currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The cast includes Jack Wolfe as Orpheus, Morgan Dudley as Eurydice, Rebecca Naomi Jones as Persephone, Paulo Szot as Hades, and Kurt Elling as Hermes. Each cast member is memorable and brings powerful emotions to their character. There are also three characters called The Fates who are sisters that portray the inner doubts and fears of the characters. They steer the characters’ actions and try to bring out the worst in them. For example, when Orpheus is on his journey to bring back Eurydice, they swarm him singing, “Who are you?/Why are you all alone?/Who do you think you are?/Who are you to think that you can walk a road/That no one has ever walked before?”
Even though the play was first written and performed in 2006, it quite eerily speaks to the world today. The main themes are that of oppression, control, and having hope in a world that offers so little in return. Viewers will see pieces of themselves reflected within the characters, allowing them to resonate with the story.
One thing is clear, “Hadestown” is a must see Broadway play for everyone. It does not just tell a story, but makes audiences feel it through raw, emotional songs and performances. “Hadestown” has a raw, gritty feeling to it, making it stand out from other broadway shows and giving it a sense of realism. Make sure to get your ticket soon and take a trip to the Underworld!
