Review: ‘Hadestown’ at the Walter Kerr Theatre

There’s a good reason that we repeat the songs and stories we’ve heard countless times, the oral tradition that preceded the written word. And that’s why Greek myths such as the story of Orpheus and Eurydice and of Hades and Persephone have endured to this date.

In a new twist on these ancient legends with its origins in a 2010 concept album by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, “Hadestown” turns the two myths on their ear with a dystopian musical that leaves one wanting to, well, go to hell.

For those not up on Greek mythology, here’s a quick primer. Orpheus of Thrace, son of Apollo, is a musician, poet, and prophet. He can charm all living things with his music. Attempting to rescue his wife, Eurydice, from the Underworld, he so enchants Hades and Persephone that he is allowed to do so (but there are conditions). Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone preside over the Underworld, which, incidentally, is also known as Hades.

In “Hadestown,” Orpheus (Reeve Carney) and Eurydice (Eve Noblezada) cross paths when Hades (Patrick Page, reminiscent of Karl Lagerfeld in a long black trench coat and sunglasses) abducts Eurydice whilst Persephone (Amber Gray, she’s the one carrying the Handbasket) is on Earth.

What didn’t happen in Greek mythology was that Hades would fall for Eurydice or that the now jealous Persephone would convince him to let Orpheus return Eurydice to Earth

Click here to continue to Page 2 – The Setting: A Great Depression-inspired Post Apocalypse

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