Winthrop High School is thrilled to present our fall musical: Hadestown! This Tony Award-winning show, with music and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, brings Greek mythology to life with a story that is, in my humble opinion, both timeless and absolutely spectacular. Our performances will be on November 13th, 14th, and 15th at Winthrop High School, and I can say with honesty, this is a production you absolutely will not want to miss.
Lately, I’ve been having way too many encounters with people asking, “Wait… what is Hadestown?” So, I thought I’d write this article as a sort of “all you need to know” guide to the show– what it’s about, who’s in it, and why it’s so exciting. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the story and feel all the more excited to see it!
For some background, Hadestown is inspired by two well-known Greek myths that date back thousands of years. The first is the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus was a legendary musician and poet whose music could charm anyone– even animals, trees, and gods. When his wife, Eurydice, dies tragically, Orpheus travels to the underworld to bring her back, using the power of his music to persuade Hades, the god of the dead, to let her go. The second myth is that of Hades and Persephone, which explains the cycle of the seasons in Greek mythology. Persephone, the daughter of the goddess Demeter, is taken to the underworld by Hades to be his queen. Demeter’s grief causes the earth to grow barren, leading to winter, but when Persephone returns to the surface each year, the land blooms again, marking spring.
Now, the story of Hadestown, the musical, is basically just a simplified blend of the two myths. Here’s the story in an easy-to-follow way: Orpheus and Eurydice fall in love, but Eurydice struggles with the hardships of life. When she’s offered a safer, more secure life in Hadestown, she makes the difficult choice to go there, leaving Orpheus behind. Determined to bring her back, Orpheus follows her into the underworld, trusting that his music and love can succeed where others have failed. Hermes, the witty narrator/emcee, guides the audience through the story, explaining the characters’ choices and the dangers they face along the way. Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone’s relationship shapes the world of Hadestown itself– Hades is strict and controlling, while Persephone represents hope and change. Watching over everyone are the Fates, mysterious women who remind each of the characters that their choices have consequences. Orpheus and Eurydice face trials as they try to escape Hadestown, and the story ultimately asks whether love, courage, and trust can overcome fear and obstacles.
Meet the Cast:
Orpheus – Josie Barry
Eurydice – Jillian Buonopane
Hermes – Chelsea Long (me!)
Hades – Sheridan Daley
Persephone – Juliet Bettano
The Fates – Olivia Scorzella, Sarah Tracy, and Hailey DeMarco
The Workers – Holly Nimblett, Michael Tracy, Vivianne Engman Murphy, and Audrey Carroll
Vocal Ensemble – Ash Kowalczuk, Elaina Freeman, Ella Fillipi, Kenzie Williams, and Reem Salama
Working on this show has been absolutely incredible. One key thing to know about Hadestown is that it’s a sung-through musical, which means the entire story is told through song rather than spoken dialogue (think Hamilton). This creates a continuous flow of music, which makes the show far more demanding than a traditional musical. Every line, every word, every pause has to be sung, all while remembering blocking, choreography, and timing. Rehearsing a sung-through show has definitely pushed us to grow as performers, teaching us how to stay in character and convey the story entirely through music. If you saw our production of SIX last year, get ready– Hadestown is over twice the material! Despite the challenges, it’s been incredibly rewarding, and I’m having an absolute blast.
I’ll be writing another piece as we get closer to the show dates to dive into people’s experiences with their characters, the set-building process, and more behind-the-scenes details. But if you’ve been curious about what Hadestown is all about, consider this your guide. Hopefully, it gives you a clear picture of the story, the music, and the world we’re bringing to life on stage. I can’t wait to see you all on November 13th, 14th, and 15th! Let’s raise some hell!
