REVIEW: The World We Dream About in Hadestown (Hennepin Arts)

The North American Touring Company of Hadestown, which opened Tuesday at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Hadestown, which opened last night at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, is a masterful work of art. All of the elements in this touring production come together cohesively to tell a beautiful tale of gods and men. You can read more about my opinions on the show itself in an earlier publication from the last time Hadestown toured through Minneapolis; it is – and remains excellent.

In lieu of a typical review, what follows is something of an essay on why it is important to see Hadestown in this day and age.

Singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the creator of Hadestown, began working on the show in 2004, delving into ancient tales from Greek mythology. Despite these ancient roots, this show has become increasingly relevant as the years go by. To observe this truth, one must simply look at the cast. In many shows, the content of the story dictates what the race of the actors must be (e.g., Parade, The Wiz, Miss Saigon). Unfortunately, it is still very common for many productions where race is not significant to the story to still cast predominantly white.

Hadestown is a beautiful example of what can happen when a team truly hires the best person for the job, no matter what they look like, or how that fits casting stereotypes. The body diversity seen in this tour cast is a more accurate representation of the true makeup of America’s diversity than any cast I have ever seen. Hadestown is a show where a nonbinary actor can feel free to play their character as nonbinary (Jaylon C. Crump as Hermes) and arguably autistic characters (Orpheus – in Greek mythology, the greatest musician in the world; also the namesake of the Orpheum Theatre) can experience epic and vibrant love stories without their neurodivergence being seen as a problem or something to be overcome. It is true DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) put into action, and the result is beautiful.

Megan Colton (Eurydice), Namisa Mdlalose Bizana (Persephone), and the cast of the North American Touring Company of *Hadestown*. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Back to the actual story: Hadestown shows the damages that can be done when a dictator (Hades, powerfully played by the towering Nickolaus Colón) strips people of their identities and rules with fear. This version of the Greek god of the underworld is so reminiscent of current world leaders that it feels like he was written on January 6, 2021. (The show’s first U.S. debut was at New York Theatre Workshop in summer 2016, although it did not reach its current, final form until its April 17, 2019 opening on Broadway.)

Everybody hungry.
Everybody tired.
Everybody slaves by the sweat of his brow.
The wage is nothing and the work is hard;
It’s a graveyard in Hadestown.
––Hermes in Hadestown

Megan Colton (Eurydice), Jaylon C. Crump (Hermes), Bryan Munar (Orpheus), and the North American Touring Company of *Hadestown*. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Just as Orpheus’ song inspires the workers to realize that they are stronger together, my hope is that the songs of Hadestown inspire the oppressed and disenfranchised to stand together against injustice.

Damned if you don’t–
Damned if you do–
Whole damn nation’s watching you.
Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do,
Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do now?
––Fates, Hadestown

I believe the show’s main theme is hope; hope is something most of us could use more of now…Hope in the face of tragedy, telling the stories of our truth again and again, and celebrating the world we dream about, and the one we live in now.

Bryan Munar (Orpheus) gets a big moment. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

I urge you if you are able to witness this stunning cast before Hadestown heads off into the distance.

Did You Know…

# of Tony Awards won by Hadestown: 8, including Best Musical (and a Grammy Award)
# of trucks needed to transport the set, costumes, and instruments: 6
# of years of show development from initial writing to the Broadway opening: 16 (2004-2019)
# of cast and crew members: 33 (17 + 16)

—

Hadestown plays through February 16 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN.

About
Latest Posts

Boo Segersin

Boo Segersin (Assistant Editor for Theatre) is a professional music- and theatremaker in the Twin Cities.