This November, Sam Barlow High School’s theatre department will unveil the curtains on the teen edition of the Broadway musical Hadestown — one of the first schools in the US to do so.
Written by Anais Mitchell, Hadestown premiered in 2019. That very year it was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won eight of them, becoming the most awarded show of the season. In 2020, it won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, and its acclaim has only continued from there.
Set in New Orleans during the Great Depression, the musical is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Against a gorgeous score of jazz, blues, folk, and rock music, the story follows the two of them and their love. At first, it’s wonderful, blooming in the spring and summer, but when autumn comes and winter looms, challenges come alongside the harsher weather. When Euridyce unknowingly signs her soul away to Hades, King of the Underworld, Orpheus goes down to bring her home.
Of course, such a production is impossible to pull off without the right cast and crew.
Some people have been with the theatre program for years, and others are entirely new. While the cast is largely made up of returning talent, such as seniors Ania Vila and Bronwyn Barrie, there are also some new faces, like sophomore Marlie Williams and freshman Janiyah Jointer.
Being part of the musical is a huge achievement, and everyone is excited about their upcoming role. “When I got the role as one of the Fates, I was over the moon,” says Ava Rose. Another actor, Spencer Neighorn, says he loves his role of Orphehus because of all the changes he goes through throughout the story. Josie Williams, who acts for Euridyce, says, “I’ve loved this show since childhood, and am so thrilled to be able to play this role.”
It doesn’t come without challenges, though. One of the hardest parts of the musical, according to its actors, is the music itself. From harmonizing to hitting difficult notes, participating is a massive undertaking and a big investment of time. It all pays off, though. “The most rewarding part of the musical is the family formed through it,” says Marlie Williams, one of the Fates, while Hades’ actor Noah Feldmann-Parks says the most satisfying part of the whole production is the singing, and performing it all at the end.
Of course, none of this would be achievable without behind-the-scenes assistance. Stage manager Ollie Vanorsow has been busy keeping things in line. “It’s a new experience, but I absolutely love it,” says Vanorsow.
Most of the cast say that they will be sad to see the time go, but that nothing can top the excitement that comes alongside being able to finally perform the musical after so much work went into preparation.
To watch this wonderful story come to light, one need look no further than our very own theatre program this November. With a phenomenal cast, crew, and production team, it’s sure to be a standout show that you don’t want to miss.
The showings are as follows: November 15, 16 & 23 at 7:30 PM, November 23 at 2:00 PM, and November 24 at 1:00 PM. Be sure to reserve your tickets at sambarlowtheatre.com!
