Hadestown

Hermes, Greek god of boundaries, roads, travelers, commerce, thieves, athletes, shepherds, and Psychopomps, is the divine messenger. Throughout the musical, he plays the role of narrator. He is completely honest and smooth-spoken. Though he claims not to do things "because he is kind", he is shown to care for Orpheus by taking him in as his aide and shows kindness to Eurydice.

Orpheus is a legendary musician, poet, lover of Eurydice, and prophet in ancient Greek religion. The main protagonist, he is a dreamer and always see how things could be. He sees the best in people. He is awkward and clumsy but ultimately determined.

Eurydice is the lover of Orpheus. She is more experienced in life than Orpheus. She has been alone her whole life and has learned to fight for herself, which has made her reluctant to trust people. The Fates follow her through most of the musical, planting seeds of doubt and encouraging her to leave to Hadestown.

Persephone is goddess of Spring and wife of Hades. She is free spirited and fun loving. She is an alcoholic and is frequently shown to be drunk at many points of the musical. Though she still loves him, her relationship with Hades has broken down over the years and the pair constantly bicker. With her arrival to our world she brings spring, summer, and good times.

Hades is god of the underworld and husband of Persephone. He is the primary antagonist. He is the ruler of Hadestown. He is cold and uncaring. However, he has become even more cold and hardened ever since his relationship with Persephone has become distant. He sees the workers of Hadestown as "his children", and believes that through totalitarian control of their lives he has set them free.

The Fates are three spirits that act as the driving force of many key decisions other characters make in the show by influencing and manipulating their thoughts. Hermes, in the opening number, describes them as "three old women who dressed the same" and says that "they're always singing in the back of your mind".

Hadestown was performed as a stage production in the cities of Barre and Vergennes in 2006, before going into a seven-day, ten-city tour between Anaïs Mitchell's home state of Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007.[1][2] Mitchell described the first incarnation of the show as "a D.I.Y. theatre project." The creative team included primary orchestrator/arranger Michael Chorney and original director/designer Ben T. Matchstick, as well as a cast drawn from local artists in Vermont.[3][4] In 2010, a concept album was released.

In her search for a director, Mitchell sought out Rachel Chavkin in 2012 after watching a production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 directed by Chavkin. In the transition from concept album to stage musical, Mitchell wrote an additional 15 songs and added dialogue to clarify the story line and deepen characterization. The 15 new songs were developed after Mitchell and Chavkin discussed gaps in the album's story line. Michael Chorney created the primary orchestrations and arrangements, with Todd Sickafoose contributing additional/co-arrangements and orchestrations.[3] Hadestown premiered at New York Theatre Workshop for an initial run from May 3 through July 3, 2016, but was later extended due to popular demand through July 31. The production starred Damon Daunno as Orpheus, Nabiyah Be as Eurydice, Amber Gray as Persephone, Patrick Page as Hades, Chris Sullivan as Hermes, and Lulu Fall, Jessie Shelton, and Shaina Taub as the Fates.[2][5]

On October 14, 2016, an EP was released featuring four songs from the musical, recorded live on June 28 and 29, 2016.[6] A full live album was released on October 6, 2017.[7]

Hadestown was presented in an intended pre-Broadway run as part of the 2017-18 season at Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Rachel Chavkin once again served as director, with performances scheduled for November 11 - December 3, 2017, with Amber Gray and Patrick Page reprising their roles from NYTW. The production was presented in collaboration with Mara Isaacs and Dale Franzen, who produced the Off-Broadway run.[8] The NYTW production was also featured in the award-winning documentary series Working in the Theatre produced by the American Theatre Wing.[9]

Ahead of a 2019 Broadway transfer, Hadestown was performed in the Olivier Theatre of the National Theatre in London. Making its UK debut, it ran from November 2, 2018 to January 26, 2019.[10] The production team included Rachel Hauck for scenic design, Michael Krass for costume design, Bradley King for lighting design, Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz for sound design, David Neumann for choreography, and Liam Robinson for musical direction.[11] Patrick Page, Amber Gray, and Reeve Carney reprised their performances in the National Theatre production, joined by Eva Noblezada, André De Shields (who had participated in some early workshops of the production),[12] Carly Mercedes Dyer, Rosie Fletcher, and Gloria Onitiri.[13]

Hadestown opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre, with previews beginning on March 22, 2019 and opening night set for April 17, 2019.[14] Page, Gray, De Shields, Carney, and Noblezada reprise their performances for the Broadway production, and are joined by Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzales-Nacer, and Kay Trinidad.[15] The production team also reunites Hauck for scenic design, Krass for costume design, King for lighting design, Steinberg and Jessica Paz for sound design, Neumann for choreography, and Robinson for musical direction. As of March 12, 2020, the show suspended production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show’s production will be suspended until September 6, 2020 at the earliest. [16]

In August 2019, it was announced during an episode of Good Morning America that Hadestown would begin a national tour in 2020.[17]

Mitchell released a concept album based on the musical, working on it for over a year. It was released on March 9, 2010 through Righteous Babe Records.[1]

A live cast recording of the Off-Broadway production was released digitally and on CD on October 6, 2017 through Parlophone Records. A four-track EP entitled Why We Build The Wall (Selections from Hadestown. The Myth. The Musical. Live Original Cast Recording) was released for digital retailers on October 13, 2016 in promotion of the album.

A Broadway cast recording was released in full on July 26, 2019 through Sing It Again Records.[22][23] A physical two-CD recording will be available at a later date.[24]

Hadestown received generally positive critical reviews. The New York Times described the Off-Broadway production as "inventive" and "gorgeously sung," praising its simplicity and intimacy.[25] The Hollywood Reporter described the added dialogue as "wince-inducing" but favored its high energy and immersive staging.[26] Several reviews drew parallels between the song "Why We Build the Wall" and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, though the song predates the campaign.[25][26]

The production opened on Broadway on April 17, 2019 to mainly positive critical reception, with praise especially directed at its direction and performances, particularly those of Amber Gray, André De Shields, and Patrick Page.[27] The New York Times called it "gorgeous" and "hypnotic", especially noting its improvement from the New York Theater Workshop version.[28] David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter calls it "utterly fabulous", in particular praising the performances of Gray and Page.[29]

• Official website