“Hadestown”

[rating=4] Imagine, if you can, a love story with music of both the Jazz and  Folk music. The Jazz is very New Orleans style and one of the highlights of the piece is that there is no pit. The musicians are onstage ( except the drummer) and they are terrific. It is not often that a musical features the “orchestra/band” but in this case, they are actually singled out by name, so we the audience can show our appreciation. Pay close attention to Audrey Ochoa who plays a mean trombone. WOW! The other members of the crew, led by  Cody Owen Stine ( piano) are Jacob Yates ( cello), Edith Yokley (violin), Michiko Egger ( guitar), Calvin Jones ( double bass) and Anthony Ty Johnson ( backstage percussion)

.The play ( book, music and lyrics) is written by Anais Mitchell and solidly directed by Rachel Chavkin. David Neumann did the amazing choreography and the set by Rachel Hauk is powerful and effective. The story is one that will, or perhaps , already has, become one that is followed. Many of those in attendance for tonight’s opener knew the music and the storyline.

The story begins with us meeting Hermes (deftly handled by Levi Kreis) a Greek God, introducing us to the characters. The main character of the story is Orpheus ( an amazing talent, Nicholas Barasch, whose vocal range will send chills down your spine- he is that good). He is a poor man, Hermes’ Ward ,searching for love and happiness. Enter Eurydice ( played to perfection by Morgan Siobhan Green)  along with her Greek Chorus, The Fates ( a trio of very talented ladies; Shea Renne, Bex Odorisio and Belen Moyano, who sing, dance and play instruments) These ladies are onstage pretty much the entire production ( about 2 hours and thirty minutes with one 15 minute intermission).

The people have been hit with terrible weather and a famine. EURYDICE fears they will be poor and possibly die. Orpheus wants to marry her and says he can write a song that will make the difference. The Spring weather will come to his song and change the lives of all the people in their community.

There is another world. It is called Hadestown and is controlled by King Hades( Kevin Morrow ) and his wife, Persephone ( Kimberly Marable). Hadestown is perfect and their King Hades, always gets what he wants. He has the power. Eurydice, fearing death, goes to the other world and vows to never look back in spite of her love for Orpheus. She goes below along with the other cast members, known as the Workers Chorus. These six ensemble members are powerful. I believe I have them right- Ian Coulter-Buford, Lindsey Hailes, Chibueze, Ihuoma, Will Mann and Sydney Parra. They sing, they dance and again, spend a great deal of time onstage. For years I have said how important the “ensemble” is to making a production work and these six performers along with the trio of ladies that make up the Greek Chorus certainly prove the point.

I do not want to give away the entire story, but will tell you that our hero cannot live without the love of his life, so he ventures off to Hadestown to find her. He does, but Hades makes him a deal. He can leave with  Eurydice, BUT only if they walk single file all the way and he can never look back to see if she is still there. Trust is of great importance. That is all I feel I can tell you so I will not spoil this amazing creation. I am sure there will be people who will feel quite the opposite, but based on the creativity and talent in this production, I feel that the cult that has started will grow over the years and I plan to attend with them, every year if it comes back that often.

FYI- I hear people think that hades was Hell- it is not. He is the God of the dead, the ruler of the Underworld His wife is the Goddess of Seasons. Remember, this is Greek Mythology with a twist and some wonderful music. The sounds are amazing! The voices are powerful! The story will change your mind about Greek Mythology and you will leave the CIBC theatre with a smile on your face ( not bad for just having viewed a Greek tragedy!).

“Hadestown” will continue at The CBIC Theatre located at  18 West Monroe until March 13th with performances as follows:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

Tickets start at $55 and are available at www.BroadwayInChicago.com or you can visit any of the Broadway In Chicago box offices.

FYI- parking and dining info is on the BIC website. You can also go to www.ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

The Broadway In Chicago venues are still following Covid policies- masks are worn the entire show by audience members who must show vac card or negative results before entering.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Hadestown”.