THE STORY:
Hadestown took the world by storm in 2019 shocking Broadway fans with a chilling musical that weaves together Greek mythology, folk music, and modern-day themes to tell a story of hope. It’s the hope that kills. This musical is set in a post-apocalyptic world with ties to the Great Depression following the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice.
The show starts and ends with Hermes the guide to the tragic tale doomed to be repeated. Eurydice walks into a bar to get away from the cold and meets Orpheus. While the love is strong between the two heroines, the oppressive state of their world finds Eurydice being lured to Hadestown run by Hades himself. Blinded by the need for stability Eurydice is imprisoned and calls out one last time for Orpheus, her love. On the top side Orpheus is blinded by his need to compose a song to bring back Spring and missed her call, upon discovering his mistake he takes the long way down determined to bring his love home. Hades is cold and dismisses Orpheus but Persephone, who spends summer on the top side and winter with her lover Hades as Lady of the Underground, encourages Hades to let them try.
Hades is faced with the impossible situation of letting them go and losing control of Hadestown or making Eurydice a martyr and still losing control of Hadestown. Keeping the power in Hades’ hands he gives the two lovers a compromise, a chance to make it back. They can go on the condition that Orpheus must lead the way and Eurydice must follow with no communication. All Orpheus needs to do is walk straight on the path and not give into doubt, for if he turns around then Eurydice will be sent back to Hadestown and the story begins anew. Hermes must start the tale again. "We're gonna sing it again and again".
Comments