hadestown

Hadestown is a great show. The National Tour is not (Review)

| Rachel's Reviews

It might seem like an odd comparison but I feel the same way about the national tour of Hadestown that is currently at the Eccles downtown as I did about Les Miserables national tour last year. Both have very strong material (obviously) that is executed in the most meh way possible. If you see Hadestown you’ll probably have a good time because the music, lyrics and book are great but not from the bland uninspired choices of this production. You can honestly find better executed stagings at the myriads of high schools doing the Hadestown Teen Edition all over the state of Utah.

The biggest problem with the production is one of scope. Everything feels small and simple. This is a show that relies a lot on spectacle. The lights alone on the Broadway show are stunning and bold and that’s not the case here. I know there are only 5 workers on Broadway but the more intimate staging there makes it still feel grand where at the large Eccles theater the afterlife looked rather sparse. Also the director Keenan Tyler Oliphant slows down certain segments like “Why We Build the Wall” so that my mind began to wander about the smallness of the cast.

The musicians are on the stage in the tradition of Hadestown, but they don’t blend as well as I would like. The brass really sticks out in sections as did the violins which I’ve never noticed in this show before. They really go for a Mardi Gras New Orleans feel which I get but seems a little celebratory in tone for the events of Hadestown. It is also strange the way they have Persephone open act 2 with “Our Lady of the Underground” like she is a lounge singer at a club. I know she’s supposed to be boozy but it is handled like a cabaret performance not a key moment in the story.

My favorite acting of the night is Nickolaus Colón as Hades. He makes those low notes feel effortless, and I love his slick soulful interpretation of “Hey Little Songbird.” Even though the Fates do not harmonize as well as I’d like I still loved the “Epic” songs especially “Epic III” which is peak musical theatre if you ask me.

I also can’t help but gasp when Orpheus (Jose Contreras) turns around at the end but the way they have it staged is so odd with lights and fog that made it impossible to see Eurydice (Hawa Kamara) behind him. It is like it all of the sudden became a rock concert with strobe lights instead of a journey to the afterlife. It reminded me of the ending of Beetlejuice: The Musical and that’s not at all what I want out of Hadestown.

It might seem like I am being too tough on this production. It is after all still Hadestown and most people who go see it will still enjoy it. However, the tickets are expensive and if I have had better experiences at the local high schools than that’s a problem. I’m sure I will be in the minority because the material is still very strong but when I see a professional production (even non-equity) I expect better than high schools. I even thought some of the costume choices particularly for Persephone were odd. Unfortunately, I’d recommend saving your money on this one and supporting a local high school production instead. Hopebox is putting it on next month and I bet it will be incredible and for a good cause. The Hadestown national tour is playing at the Eccles through 3/29 and tickets can be purchased here.

Hadestown has music, lyrics and a book by Anaïs Mitchell based on the greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice. It first premiered on Broadway in 2019 and it is still currently playing. I saw it in 2021.

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks like bonus episodes, patron polls and monthly Q&As with actors, directors and writers. Please take a look here.

‘HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION’ IS WAY UP FOR THE TEENS AT SKYRIDGE (REVIEW)

| Rachel's Reviews

I don’t know if I have seen anything quite like the phenomenon that has become the Hadestown: Teen Edition. At least here in Utah it is being performed everywhere. This is my 3rd review in just a few months and there are multiple productions I have not seen. The interesting thing is when I saw Hadestown on Broadway I was in the liked it but didn’t love it camp. I never expected I would become a mini-expert on the teen edition! That said, I am here for it because this show gives so much opportunity for the students to grow and provides ample space for lots of teens to become involved whether it is the large ensemble scenes or the technical and music elements that are a part of the show. Yesterday I had the chance to see the production at Skyridge High School and it was another outstanding trip to the underworld.

Of the 3 teen productions I’ve seen this one at Skyridge is the most simple with minimal props and simple sets but I was fine with that. Director John Brown has clearly worked hard with his team to involve as many students as possible with nearly 50 members of the two-part ensemble alone. The set is also simple but it looked homemade by the students and that’s what I like to see. The electric aspect of Hadestown was featured in stadium lights behind the actors and some of the Workers wearing miner headlights. The ‘tech theatre class’ is credited in the set design and construction and that is awesome and they should all be commended for their hard work. I also really appreciate the live band and the sound work microphoning almost everyone in the ensemble is no small task.

The cast of teens is excellent with AnnaBelle Taylor and Alexander Hsiao standing out as Persephone and Hades respectively. Taylor brings a hopeful spirit to Persephone one doesn’t always see and Hsiao nails all those low notes and the wicked charm needed for Hades. Claire Allen and Daxter Jones are also outstanding as Eurydice and Orpheus respectively. All the Chants and Epic numbers are so well sung and the choreography by Kirsten Richards keeps the action moving, even through some of the slower sections.

I’m not sure what else anyone could ask for from these teens. They did an incredible job and I highly recommend seeing Hadestown: Teen Edition at Skyridge while you have the chance. It is playing through 2/25 and tickets can be purchased here.

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks. Please take a look here.

‘HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION’ IS ANOTHER EXCELLENT PRODUCTION FROM LIAHONA THEATRE (REVIEW)

| Rachel's Reviews

It’s always an interesting thing reviewing high school theatre. While I certainly can be constructive my main goal is to be encouraging and help the programs be the best they can for the students. I must be doing something right because I have received a lot of requests from high schools and I’m always honored to do it (I have 3 more coming up in the next few months.) One of the most popular high school shows right now is Hadestown: Teen Edition. Of course, I reviewed the incredible production at Riverton High last fall, have another one coming up soon and there are at least 2 other locally that I did not see that I’m aware of. Today I am taking a look at the Liahona Theatre at the Liahona Preparatory Academy and their production of Hadestown.

Going into this show my expectations were high as Liahona did one of my favorite productions of 2024 with their Starlight Express and now they have another excellent offering with Hadestown. My favorite part is director Jordan Long clearly encourages a lot of students to participate with huge ensemble scenes covering the stage with choreography by Joleah Long. The Workers numbers were particularly impressive with the students looking appropriately robotic and angry. I believe strongly that high school theatre should be cut-free giving everyone the opportunity to be involved and this is certainly the case with productions like this and Starlight Express.

The stage at the Liahona can sometimes be prone to audio and other technical problems so I was very relieved everything went off without any issues. The set by scenic designers Brian and Canon Hadfield is outstanding with a 2-story subway platform with lighting and sound to give the feel of a subway. It was also interesting that the lighting only had the iconic Hadestown mining lights underneath smaller platforms that they used to move the actors around the set. It was very effective especially in the “Road to Hell (Reprise)” to end the show. The costumes by Melody Hadfield particularly on the 3 Fates are beautifully fit and tailored- perfectly designed for each role.

Compared to the Riverton production this cast did feel younger, which can be a little jarring for the darkness of the content but in some cases it added to the characters. In particular Brigham Ker brings a warmth and tenderness to Orpheus I haven’t always seen. He has a very lovely tenor voice and songs like the “Epic” songs he is a real stand-out. Eurydice, on the other hand, played by Amera Davis can really nail those low notes in songs like “Flowers.” The other leads are all terrific teen performers.

There’s still one more chance to support these wonderful teens in their production of Hadestown: Teen Edition. I think you will definitely find it worthy of your time. You can purchase tickets here.

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks. Please take a look here.

RIVERTON HIGH SCHOOLERS STUN IN HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION (REVIEW)

| Rachel's Reviews

When I first saw Hadestown in 2022 on Broadway I honestly walked away with mixed feelings. While most of my friends seemed ready to declare it the next musical masterpiece I felt it was more style over substance. Therefore, I was excited to give the material another chance- this time in the Teen Edition at Riverton High School. Now having seen it I still have some of the story issues but I was blown away by what the teens did and everyone involved should be commended.

Hadestown is the creation of (book, lyrics and music) Anais Mitchell based on the Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice. It tells the story of Orpheus who goes into the underworld to try and save his love. Along the way we have all kinds of characters like Hades, Persephone and Hermes.

One of my friends who is a Hadestown superfan expressed concerns about it being appropriate for a teen edition but he needn’t be. The team have done an excellent job making it appropriate for older teens and it’s a perfect show for high schoolers to do because it has huge ensemble scenes which allow for many young people to get their first taste in theater. At Riverton director Erin McGuire has taken this strong adaptation and seemingly thought of everything to make a winning production.

On Broadway so much of the appeal of Hadestown is the incredible production values which made it interesting to see a more stripped down version at Riverton. The set is simple but the lights and steampunk elements (including industrial projections on the side walls) make for an immersive experience. Everything went off seemingly without a hitch from the trap doors to the lighting, to the fog elements. I especially loved when the large cast (over 80 kids) comes out into the aisles with their lights and movement. They also didn’t have any major sound issues which is usually a problem at high school productions.

The cast is also excellent with teens taking on these challenging roles loaded with exposition, dance, complex emotions and more. The highlight was Ethan Hull as Hades. His deep bass voice is incredible in songs like “Hey Little Shepherd. He should absolutely apply for the Jimmy Awards. I think he’d be a shoe-in. Emma Tyson was also strong as Persephone in songs like “Living it Up on Top” and “Why We Build the Wall.”

The music is also a standout of the show at Riverton with an on stage band of 7 musicians, some of them professional adults. Especially for a show like Hadestown we need the gritty grounded reality of live musicians as opposed to a prerecorded track. It makes all the difference in the world.

If you haven’t seen Hadestown I thoroughly recommend checking out Riverton High’s production. It may be a teen edition but it’s also an incredible edition! It is playing for one more day tomorrow and I highly recommend it. You can purchase tickets here.

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks. Please take a look here.