**** Highly Recommended **** When I went to see Hadestown I had a vague idea that the story was based on Greek mythology, but I had no expectations. Now that I’ve seen the show, I have to say, it blew me away! Hadestown doesn’t wait for you to get into the story, it reaches out and grabs you with its hauntingly beautiful music, glorious voices, joyous dance, and a sense of joie de vivre on stage. Even though it doesn’t have a ‘happily ever after,’ it does end on an upbeat note! The coolest thing of all, Hadestown was written and directed by women, Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin respectively! 4 BIG Spotlights
Who would have guessed that Hadestown, a new slant on a Greek tragedy, would become a Broadway hit, winning eight Tony Awards® including Best New Musical and a Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album! It also won a boatload of other awards including four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.
Hadestown is a refreshing new take on the intertwined love stories of Orpheus (Nicholas Barasch) and Eurydice (Morgan Siobhan Green) and Hades (Kevyn Morrow) and Persephone (Kimberly Marable), as told by the Greek god Hermes (Levi Kreis), in a song called Road to Hell. By the way, according to Hermes, you can take the train straight to Hades (no mention of crossing the River Styx).
The three Fates (Belén Moyano, Bex Odorisio and Shea Renne) are always hovering in the background, circling the mortals. Since it’s a requirement that every Greek tragedy has to have a chorus, Hermes points them out. The chorus (Lindsey Hailes, Chibueze Ihuoma, Will Mann, Sydney Parra, Jamari Johnson Williams) occupies the center of the stage.
When Orpheus first sees Eurydice, he is gobsmacked! He doesn’t waste any time, asking her to marry him immediately after introducing himself. Since they’re both broke and hungry, she wants to wait, but he says he’s writing a song that will bring spring again.
Soon after he sings the story of Hades and Persephone for Eurydice, Persephone, wearing a bright green dress, celebrates her six months in the sun with a song called Livin’ It Up On Top. Unfortunately for her – and everyone on earth – Hades got jealous and came early, dragging Persephone back to Hadestown, his underground factory where he’s building a giant wall.
Orpheus is working on his song and doesn’t hear Eurydice calling him as she searches for food. On a recruiting trip, Hades spots her, Hey, Little Songbird. He lures her into his office with huge – and empty – promises, where she signs his contract. Sent to work in Hades’ factory, Eurydice is already forgetting who she is, Gone, I’m Gone. When Orpheus finally looks up from his song-writing, he discovers Eurydice is gone and follows her into Hades.
Of all the stories in Greek mythology, I think the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice is the saddest. Hadestown is one of the most up-lifting versions I’ve seen. Unfortunately, even though everyone is rooting for Orpheus, we know he’ll fail. The joy of Hadestown is that maybe, just maybe he’ll try again.
The Hadestown orchestra was present on stage throughout the performance. The musicians were: Cody Owen Stine (Conductor/Piano), Jacob Yates (Cello/Assistant Conductor); Edith Yokley (Violin), Michiko Egger (Guitar); Audrey Ochoa (Trombone/Glockenspiel); Calvin Jones (Double Bass); Anthony Ty Johnson (Drums/Percussion)
Note: Guests must show proof of vaccination with photo ID before entering the theater. Guests are required to wear masks while inside the building.
Hadestown runs through March 13th at Broadway in Chicago’s CIBC Theatre, 18 West Monroe Street, Chicago. Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission.
Performances are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 pm, Sunday at 2:00 pm. There will be a performance on Sunday, March 6, at 7:30 pm, and on Wednesday, March 9 at 2 pm. Tickets range from $52.50-132.50. FYI www.BroadwayInChicago.com.