Hadestown

Hadestown is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell. It tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where Orpheus goes to the underworld to rescue his lover, Eurydice.
The original version of the musical premiered in the town of Barre, Vermont in 2006. There was also a production in Vergennes in the same year and a tour between Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007. Then Mitchell, unsure about the future of the musical, turned it into a concept album, released in 2010.
In 2012, Mitchell met director Rachel Chavkin, and the two started to rework the stage production, with additional songs and dialogue. The new version of the musical, developed for the stage and directed by Chavkin, premiered Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop on May 6, 2016 and ran through July 31. Following productions in Edmonton and London, the show premiered in previews on Broadway in March 2019.
The Broadway production opened to critical acclaim and received numerous awards and nominations. At the 73rd Tony Awards, "Hadestown" received a total of 14 nominations (the most for the evening) and won eight of them, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
Characters.
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 sees 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 and go 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 was always singin' in the back of your mind".
Synopsis.
Act I.
The story begins with the Greek God, Hermes, introducing the characters (“Road to Hell”). This is followed by the Fates and Eurydice describing the harsh weather and famine of the setting (“Any Way the Wind Blows”). Orpheus, Hermes’s ward, introduces himself to Eurydice and asks her to marry him (“Come Home With Me”). Eurydice, however, is doubtful, since they both live in poverty. Orpheus tells her that he is writing a song to make spring come again, and they will no longer have to struggle (“Wedding Song”)
Orpheus sings the story of Hades and Persephone (“Epic I”). Persephone arrives in the world above and celebrates summertime (“Livin’ it up on Top”), while Eurydice truly begins to fall in love with Orpheus (“All I’ve Ever Known.”). Hades comes early to collect Persephone, and she voices her misery of having to return to Hadestown, Hades’ underground factory. Despite hearing about the never-ending labor endured by the factory workers, Eurydice is intrigued by the rich praises sung by the Fates as well as the promise of protection that Hadestown offers (“Way Down Hadestown”). Without Persephone, the long winter returns and Eurydice searches for food and firewood, urging Orpheus to finish his song (“A Gathering Storm”). Orpheus continues working on his song (“Epic II”), while Persephone and Hades argue (“Chant”).
Hades leaves his factory to find someone who will appreciate its safety and security. He comes across a desperate Eurydice, and invites her to come to Hadestown (“Hey, Little Songbird”). The Fates appear and urge Eurydice to join him (“When the Chips are Down”). With the cold surging on, and Orpheus’s song remaining uncompleted, Eurydice sees no other option except to follow Hades. She sings her goodbyes to Orpheus before disappearing. (“Gone, I’m Gone”). Orpheus discovers Eurydice’s disappearance, and becomes determined to rescue her from Hadestown. He sets off on his journey using Hermes’ instructions on how to get there without the use of Hades’ train (“Wait for Me”). Eurydice arrives in Hadestown and signs the contract, officially becoming a worker. (“Why We Build the Wall”).
Act II.
An entr'acte reveals that Persephone is bypassing Hades’ laws by selling wind, rain, and sunshine to the workers (“Our Lady of the Underground"). Eurydice begins to realize the consequences of her choice to go to Hadestown: she will soon become a mindless laborer and can never leave unless Hades consents to let her go (“Way Down Hadestown" (reprise)). She sings of her regrets as her memories of the world above slowly begin to fade (“Flowers”).
Orpheus arrives in Hadestown, and promises Eurydice that he will take her home with him. While Eurydice is relieved, she explains to Orpheus that she is not able to leave (“Come Home with Me" (reprise)). Orpheus does not understand, until Hades appears and reveals to him that Eurydice willingly signed the contract (“Papers”). The workers then attack Orpheus and the Fates tell him to give up hope (“Nothing Changes”). Despite almost giving up, Orpheus vows to find a way to free Eurydice, rallying up the workers and opening their eyes to the true horrors of Hadestown (“If It’s True”).
Persephone is inspired by Orpheus’ determination and urges Hades to let Eurydice go (“How Long”). While the workers begin to truly question the amount of freedom they have, Hades bitterly offers Orpheus a chance to sing his completed song (“Chant" (reprise)). Orpheus sings his song, reminding Hades of his love for Persephone (“Epic III”). The two gods reconcile through a dance, during which Orpheus and Eurydice promise to stay together no matter how hard (“Promises”). Orpheus asks Hades if they may leave, and Hades tells him that he has not reached a decision. The Fates taunt him for his dilemma: If he keeps Eurydice captive, she becomes a martyr; but if he lets her go, he loses control over his workers as they have begun to agitate for their freedom (“Word to the Wise”). Hades decides to let them go on one condition; Orpheus must lead them out. If he turns to confirm that Eurydice is following him, she will be condemned to stay in his factory forever (“His Kiss, the Riot”).
Hermes explains the condition to Orpheus and Eurydice, and they begin heading out with the workers looking to them for hope, while Persephone and Hades decide to give their relationship another chance (“Wait for Me" (reprise)). Orpheus makes it up to the end, where he is overcome by doubt and turns around, sending Eurydice back to Hadestown (“Doubt Comes In”). Hermes reflects on the somber tale and why it must be told. (“Road to Hell" (reprise)). Back in Hadestown, Eurydice, Persephone, and the workers raise a cup to Orpheus (“We Raise Our Cups”).
Musical numbers.
New York Theatre Workshop, New York.
All songs are adapted from Mitchell's album, aside from "Any Way the Wind Blows" from her album "Xoa", except where noted.
† Not included on Original Cast Recording
‡ Original material
Productions.
"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 Mitchell's home state of Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007. 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. 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. "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.
On October 14, 2016, an EP was released featuring four songs from the musical, recorded live on June 28 and 29, 2016. A full live album was released on October 6, 2017.
"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. The NYTW production was also featured in the award-winning documentary series "Working in the Theatre" produced by the American Theatre Wing.
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. 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. Page, 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), Carly Mercedes Dyer, Rosie Fletcher, and Gloria Onitiri.
"Hadestown" opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre, with previews beginning on March 22, 2019 and opening night set for April 17, 2019. 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. The Broadway production was produced by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold and Tom Kirdahy. 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 May 31, 2021 at the earliest.
In August 2019, it was announced during an episode of "Good Morning America" that "Hadestown" would begin a national tour in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour has been postponed.
Recordings.
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.
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. A physical two-CD recording will be available at a later date.
Reception.
"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. "The Hollywood Reporter" described the added dialogue as "wince-inducing" but favored its high energy and immersive staging. 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 by about a decade.
The production opened on Broadway on April 17, 2019 to largely positive critical reception, with praise especially directed at its direction and performances, particularly those of Amber Gray, André De Shields, and Patrick Page. "The New York Times" called it "gorgeous" and "hypnotic", especially noting its improvement from the New York Theater Workshop version. David Rooney of "The Hollywood Reporter" calls it "utterly fabulous", in particular praising the performances of Gray and Page.