What happens when love, fate and poverty collide? Hadestown answers this question. The critically acclaimed musical with music and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, premiered on Broadway Mar. 22, 2019, at the Walter Kerr Theatre under the direction of Rachel Chavkin. Its Spotlight Award-winning adaptation, Hadestown: Teen Edition, premiered on the Huss stage May 16-18. Narrated by Hermes (senior Aarushi Bahadur), the production explored the love story of Eurydice (senior Maddie Pierce) and Orpheus (senior Coda Wilson), intertwined with the influence of Hades (junior William Hanna), Persephone (senior Ellie Putaski), and the Fates (sophomore Eva Johnson, junior Frances Matthews and ninth grader Kate Tuttle).
Hadestown, set in a post-apocalyptic world and inspired by the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, blends blues, jazz and folk music to tell a story of love tested by poverty and fate. When hardship drives Eurydice to accept Hades’s offer of a better life in the underworld, Orpheus sets out to rescue her. Hades agrees to let her go, on the condition that he must lead her out without looking back. As doubt creeps in, Orpheus questions Hades’s intentions, Eurydice’s loyalty, and his faith in love; if he looks back, Eurydice will be trapped in the underworld forever.
The musical explores themes such as love versus fate, the corrupting force of greed, and sustaining power of hope. Eurydice and Orpheus’ pure love contrasts with Hades and Persphone’s disintegrating relationship, highlighting how love can challenge destiny but not always escape it. Hades, portrayed as an industrialist, embodies greed and exploitation, showing the danger of unchecked power. However, despite the darkness, hope remains essential, offering a reason to believe in love, redemption and resistance against despair.
Given SPA’s talented cast, lighting crew, and musical ensemble, the show is a must-see. As someone who is new to the realm of theater, I was utterly shocked with the performance’s caliber.
Some notable performances include Pierce’s interpretation of Eurydice, Wilson’s execution of Orpheus and William Hanna’s rendition of Hades. The leads, Pierce and Wilson, were cast perfectly. Pierce’s vocals stunned the crowd, her vibrato echoing off every panel of the theater’s walls. She captivated the audience with her elegant, yet persistent tone and her evocative dramatics. Wilson embodied the ideal Orpheus: a strong actor and an even better singer. Throughout all three performances, he showcased the perfect balance of charm and vulnerability.
Despite playing a supporting role, Hanna was vital to the production’s success. With their commanding presence and chilling vocals, Hanna tackled the complex role of the god of the underworld. An equally talented singer and actor, their true talent shone in their frisson-inducing “His Kiss, the Riot,” solo.
In the performance, my top three favorite songs were “Chant,” “When the Chips are Down,” and “Wait for Me (Reprise).” In “Chant,” the melody dynamically shifted between the characters and the ensemble, creating a layered, echo-like effect. The production made the number especially immersive by having ensemble members move through the aisles, drawing the audience directly into the action. “When the Chips are Down” stood out for its eerie triad harmonies sung by the Fates. One moment that particularly struck me was Pierce’s delivery of the line “Oh, my aching heart.” Her vocals were so powerful and emotionally charged, giving the line a raw intensity. Finally, “Wait for Me (Reprise)” left me speechless. With Pierce again delivering a standout performance, the song was filled with breathtaking moments that fully captured the heartbreak and hope at the show’s core.
Overall, SPA’s rendition of Hadestown: Teen Edition dazzled with its standout vocal performances, emotional depth, and immersive staging. Despite the complex material sometimes being confusing, the production’s ambition and execution, paired with the talented cast’s dedication, made it a memorable showcase of talent.
