Broadway Theater Review: Hadestown

Amber Gray and the Broadway cast of Hadestown credit Matthew Murphy

Commentary here:
http://www.audreyrusso.com/Lauren_Yarger_0519_intro.mp3

Hadestown
Book, Music and Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell, developed with Rachel Chavkin
Choreographed by David Neumann
Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Walter Kerr Theatre

Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Anaïs Mitchell’s (music, lyrics & book) beguiling melodies and Rachel Chavkin’s (director) poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.

The cast is led by Reeve Carney as Orpheus, Eva Noblezada as Eurydice, Amber Gray as Persephone, Patrick Page as Hades, and André De Shields as Hermes. The cast also features Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, and Kay Trinidad as the Fates. The Workers Chorus is played by Afra Hines, Timothy Hughes, John Krause, Kimberly Marable, and Ahmad Simmons. The full cast also includes swings Malcolm Armwood, T. Oliver Reid, Jessie Shelton, and Khaila Wilcoxon.

The creative team for Broadway features Rachel Hauck (scenic design), Michael Krass (costume design), Bradley King (lighting design), Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design), David Neumann (choreography), Liam Robinson (music direction and vocal arrangements), Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations), and Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy). Production stage manager is Beverly Jenkins and casting is by Stewart/Whitley.