Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell is a musical based on a Greek Myth that follows the journeys of two star-crossed lovers to hell and back. Released as a concept album in 2010 and eventually premiering on Broadway in 2019, it went on to win eight Tony Awards as well as a Grammy. Now, this production will be on the stage of our very own high school auditorium tonight!
Hadestown blends New Orleans Jazz with blues, gospel, and ragtime elements, an unexpected but perfect pair with the ancient tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. This music style is quite intricate and unprecedented for the program here, so the rehearsal process began with numerous music practices. The high school choir teachers, Mr. Truitt and Mrs. Taleno, aided students in learning this advanced score. Although the music is considered difficult, the actors persevered, learning complicated harmonies and singing demanding notes.
Along with music, performers in the show were required to challenge their acting abilities in ways they had never done before. It was even the first time for some members of the production to be in a high school musical. Many in the show have had to overcome anxieties about performing on stage fully and not holding back. Layla Aghajan, a freshman ensemble member, remarked, “One way I’ve seen my acting improve is my attention to detail in my movements.” This goes to show the incredible amount of detail from Mrs. Kouba and everyone involved.
Despite the rigorous music, many in the show claim that the dancing was the toughest part. The esteemed choreographer, Holt Kirkindoll, taught 11 dances over the course of two weeks, many of which allowed ensemble members to shine alongside principal roles. “The most challenging part of the rehearsal process was the dancing,” claims Molly Aslin, the junior who plays Eurydice, “It was fun, but it was just really, really hard.” Understandably so, as the dances are filled with challenging technique! Regardless, all of these dances are incredibly rewarding and required to bring together a beautiful show!
Another highlight of this incredible production is its technical aspect, which is unlike most musicals done by Saltdome Theatre. Hadestown has a darker vibe, especially compared to shows like Beauty and the Beast in 2024 or Grease in 2023. The lighting is like a living, breathing presence on stage, and it perfectly encapsulates the mood of every scene.
The set, just another wonderful product of theatre tech, is “like nothing Irwin has ever designed before,” according to Ashlynn Alderson, a junior in the Advanced Theatre Tech class. With instruction from Mr. Irwin, students built an incredible multi-level set, including a revolve that can move the performers clockwise and counterclockwise to create an exquisite visual during the show. They had to completely rebuild a secondary stage on top of the original to build this revolve. In fact, Ashlynn says that a new experience she and many others had while working on Hadestown was “being able to build a set from zero to what it is now, because they [we] had to completely redo the stage.”
Hadestown is filled with unique technical choices from the stage to the lights that lead to an outstanding visual from Saltdome Theatre. Meticulous direction towards the singing, acting, and choreography lead to stunning performances across the board, assuring that audiences will be enthralled with what they witness on stage. The three shows on the night of the 16th, and at both 2:00 and 7:00 PM on the 18th, are sure to wow audiences! To purchase tickets, check under the fine arts tab on the Barbers Hill Website, and enjoy the show!
