Hadestown "Sing It Again": by Jackson Smith

Hadestown is a Tony Award-winning musical by Anaïs Mitchell that reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Set in a dystopian world, the show follows Orpheus, a musician with a gift for song, as he journeys to the underworld to rescue his love, Eurydice, from the grasp of Hades. I recently had the chance to see the Hadestown non-equity tour, and I have to say, it truly did justice to the Broadway production. Having seen it on Broadway before, I was curious how this version would compare—especially without the iconic turntable, which plays such a huge role in the staging. However, the cast and creative team worked around it brilliantly, proving that Hadestown is just as powerful no matter how it's staged.

One of the standout aspects of this production was the technical design. The set was minimalistic but perfect for the story. It allowed the emotions and performances to drive the show without overpowering. The technical element of this show that stood out to me the most was the lighting. Aja Jackson and Bradley King's lighting design was breathtaking as it set the tone and elevated the storytelling in creative ways. I was specifically impressed by the dynamic and contrasting lighting in "Wait for Me", it truly gave me chills. The live orchestra on stage also added so much to the experience. The musicians were fully immersed in the world of Hadestown, and Haik Demirchian, the trombone player, particularly stood out to me by adding an extra layer of depth to the songs. The music felt alive and made every moment even more exciting.

The cast delivered some phenomenal performances and brought life to their characters. Megan Colton, who played Eurydice, had a beautiful voice and embodied the character perfectly. Her chemistry with Orpheus is strong, which makes their journey even more heartbreaking. Bryan Munar, who played Orpheus, had a unique rasp to his voice that added to his character’s passion and emotional depth. Nickolaus Colón, who played Hades, was also jaw-dropping. His deep, resonant voice was shocking in the best way. Colón played the role with such authority that he commanded the stage whenever he appeared. However, I found Namisa Mdlalose Bizana's Persephone somewhat underwhelming. Her stage presence felt lacking, and it seemed like she was holding back at times which didn't contribute to Persephone's big personality. On the other hand, Jaylon C. Crump as Hermes was a standout. He brought great energy and charm to the role. Crump's performance was engaging, and he captured Hermes' balance of wisdom and playfulness perfectly.

One of the things that makes Hadestown so special is its emotional weight, and this production did not disappoint. The first time I saw Hadestown, I went in without knowing much about it. The story impacted me even more this time because I had a better understanding of the mythological background, which is essential to fully appreciate the show. Hadestown is definitely a show to do research on before watching. Experiencing Hadestown again with a deeper understanding of its themes made it even more powerful and moving. This show is more than just a retelling of Greek mythology—it's a powerful, beautiful, and deeply heartbreaking story. The emotions on stage deeply impacted the audience, which created an unforgettable experience.

This Hadestown tour is a must-see. While it may not be the same staging Broadway has, it still captures the heart and soul of the story in a way that leaves a lasting impact. The combination of stunning technical elements, strong performances, and incredible music made this a truly breathtaking production.