The musical version of the Orpheus myth, Hadestown, by Anaïs Mitchell, has come a long way from its indie-folk beginnings to the West End. The musical, which was first intended to be a song cycle, has now developed into a large-scale production under the direction of Rachel Chavkin.
Photo credits: Marc Brenner
Audiences have been enthralled by Hadestown. This endearing drama, which was created by singer-songwriter Anaiˈs Mitchell, skillfully blends the legends of Hades' abduction of Persephone and the tragic love story of Eurydice and Orpheus.
Photo credits: Marc Brenner
Even though Orpheus is a fey and often distracted man, there is evident chemistry between him and Eurydice. Melanie La Barrie's captivating portrayal of Hermes leads us through the story as it progressively comes to life.
The musical opens with Road to Hell, a voodoo brass intro that sets the tone for the entire show. Todd Sickafoose and Michael Chorney's arrangements of Mitchell's original songs have created a beautiful musical experience where the ancient Greek myth is turned into an exquisite set piece with a steampunk atmosphere evoking strong feelings of love, lust, sadness, and despair. Every scenario is turned into an exquisite set piece that evokes strong feelings. The themes of tragedy versus happiness, good versus evil, and the artist versus the underworld's work machine are all transcended in this musical. Rather, it highlights the value of narrative, even in the face of an obvious conclusion.
Photo credits: Marc Brenner
The prose in Anaïs Mitchell's Hadestown is in its strong song list, which includes the opening track, the upbeat "Way Down Hadestown," and the poignant "Wait for Me." All of these songs help to tell the story. The songs continue the story as Hades' predatory character emerges when he discovers Eurydice in the underworld, making for an engrossing musical experience.
Each member of the cast showcases their spine-tingling voices, which come together to create tremendous choruses. They all give amazing performances. With a voice that is evocative of Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash, Zachary James, portraying Hades, enthralls with his stirring performance. With his striking stage presence, long leather coat, and black pinstripes, he accentuates the character's sinister charm.
The production is brought to life by Rachel Chavkin's brilliant direction, which makes use of a rotating stage and staircase to evoke the atmosphere of a jazz club that descends into the underworld. The inventive choreography by David Neumann and the stage design deepen the feelings surrounding the main, complex romances.
Photo credits: Marc Brenner
As he faces the dangers of the underworld, Dónal Finn's rendition of Orpheus is similarly remarkable, fusing a beautiful, flowing voice with an irritating falsetto. Gloria Onitiri portrays Persephone as captivatingly charismatic, while Grace Hodgett Young's Eurydice radiates strength and clarity. The three magnificent and naughty Fates—Allie Daniel, Madeline Charlemagne, and Bella Brown—bring complexity to the drama. The ensemble, dressed as seductive Dustbowl travelers, lives up to the plot, while Rachel Hauck's set, a New Orleans-style saloon bar, adds to the overall ambiance.
A gifted band seated on both sides of the stage skillfully crafts jazz and current American folk music with New Orleans influences to produce a hauntingly lovely soundtrack. The sound of a steam train coming back adds to the musical experience and suggests that this is a journey that could end badly.
Hadestown is still a well-tuned musical machine that has managed to hold onto its amazing soul and quirky spirit throughout its journey from a community endeavor at the grassroots level to a Broadway smash hit. This captivating theatrical production is proof of the strength of neighborhood-based initiatives and the timeless allure of myths. Hadestown is the ideal option if you're seeking a must-see mythological musical with a dark edge that will enthral you.
