Broadway in Chicago is doing its job to ease the tension of people being couped up in the house during Covid by bringing in several outstanding theatrical performances. And Hadestown is a hell of a play that audiences will love.

Opening to critical acclaim, Hadestown received 14 nominations and won eight awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, the newest Broadway In Chicago production featured at CIBC Theatre. This Chicago premiere production starts with the Greek god Hermes singing (“Road to Hell”). Then, he introduces Eurydice and the Fates (ladies in Hell), relating information about the brutal weather and famine.

Orpheus, a musician, prophet, and poet, who, according to legend, traveled with Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, meets Eurydice and asks for her hand in marriage. Eurydice is doubtful as they both live within the current harshness of poverty, but Orpheus has a plan. He informs her that he is writing a song that will induce an early spring, ending their impoverished lifestyle.

Orpheus sings the story of Hades and Persephone, where she arrives in the underworld. His vocal melody strung from Orpheus’s instrument caused Eurydice to fall in love with him, and it also seems to bring Hades above ground to bring back Persephone, the bride of Hades, who loves the love he has for her had grown to love Hades, but no Hadestown. They have a six-month agreement that she can leave, but his emptiness grows each time she departs Hadestown. He summons her back early, and Persephone questions why Hades beckoned her to return. As Hades lists the complaints he hears from those working in the underground factory, Eurydice is intrigued by the praises “The Fates,” singing regarding Hades. Furthermore, the whispering of safety and shelter seduces her with the promise of evading the cold and food provisions offered that she could receive in Hadestown.

So when Hades comes across an anguished Eurydice, he serenades her with (“Hey, Little Songbird”) inviting her to join him in Hadestown. But, when the chips are down, Eurydice, coerced by “The Fates,” chooses to follow Hades and sings goodbyes to Orpheus. Eurydice has to sign some paper which seals her faith as a forgotten laborer in Hadestown. However, once Hermes informs Orpheus that Eurydice has descended into the Underworld of Hades, he goes down into Hell’s pit to recover his love.

With lyrics from the music book by Anais Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown will thrill you from the opening song. The cast from the Workers Chorus, The Fates, to the incredible orchestra makes this production of Hadestown sizzle.

Nicholas Barasch, who plays Orpheus, son of the king of Thrace Oeagrus, and the muse Calliope, whose unique vocal pitch hits notes that even my operatic chords would find troubling to reach, is perfect as the love-struck at first sight Orpheus. The 23-year-old Barasch is no stranger to Broadway, making his Roundabout debut as Deputy/Master Nick Cricker in the acclaimed Broadway revival of The Mystery Of Edwin Drood at age 17.

Morgan Siobhan Green, who recently played in the off-broadway production of Between The Lines, was part of the First National Tour, 2021, of Hadestown and is once again playing the role of Eurydice. This spunky and powerful little multi-talented actress is charming as the pragmatic Eurydice just trying to survive the thralls of winter.

Hadestown storyline is different from the Greek mythology of Eurydice, a nymph and one of the daughters of the god Apollo. Married to Orpheus, Aristaeus, a minor god, pursued her to have her hand in marriage.

Playing her dream role as Persephone at the Kennedy Center Opera House, the very talented Kimberly Marable has an imposing resume, including “The Lion King, Sister Act, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and “The Book of Mormon.” Marable is dazzling as Our Lady of the Underground.

Hermes conducts a train to the underworld, played by soulful singer Levi Kreis; he won a Tony in 2010 for his Broadway debut performance as Jerry Lee Lewis in “Million Dollar Quartet.” Kreis’s mannerism and style as the orator of the evening, who describes the love and strategies of Hadestown, is captivating as he draws the audience into this two hours and thirty-minute production.

And then there is Omaha, Nebraska native Kevyn Morrow, as Hades, the god of the underworld. Morrow’s career has taken him across the globe, and he made his Broadway debut in Leader of The Pack. His deep, sultry voice and dominating presence on stage make him perfect as Hades, who struggles with the complexities of being a sympathetic, loving villain.

Around the cast are The Fates. These greek goddesses design the fates of humanity and the dangers that happen to them in flawless three-part harmony and vocals by Belen Moyano, Bex Odorisio, and Shea Renne. These ladies seem like they have been singing together as a trio for years. Their haunting symmetry is easy as the backbone of the drama. I genuinely enjoy hearing them sing, and they nailed the role of playing The Fates.

Another splendid performance came from The Workers Chorus. Their dramatic dancing and singing featured Lindsey Hailes, Chibueze Ihuoma, Will Mann, Sydney Parra, and Jamari Johnson Williams was great. And the orchestra of Cody Owen Stine, Jacob Yates, Edith Yorkley, Calvin Jones, Anthony Ty Johnson, and the amazing performance of Audrey Ochoa on Trombone/ Glockenspiel.

Hadestown is a brilliant, sensational, and hellish story that combines all life issues of love, loss, power, and sacrifice and how we deal with the decisions that can cause absence, judgment, and doubt. You will be spellbound from the first word.

I will be remiss if I don’t share the similarities of Hadestown, written in 2006, to my book, The Hunt For Paradise, written in 2004, on sale on Amazon, shameless plug. The main storyline is alike, but they have differences, including the ending.

I’m not going to give away the ending for those who have never seen Hadestown; however, here are some highlights. First, Persephone, who returns to Hades, serves the workers in a speakeasy, and there is a workers revolt that infuriates Hades, and it’s all due to Orpheus traveling to Hell to win back his love life, Eurydice. Then a test is given to Orpheus to see if he has enough faith over his doubts as he travels through the underworld trying to bring Eurydice back home.

Hadestown is a thrill ride filled with spectacular singing and dancing. It will have you glued to your seat.

Let’s Play Highly Recommends HADESTOWN at Broadway of Chicago’s CIBC Theatre.

CIBC Theatre
HADESTOWN
Music, Lyrics, and Book by Anais Mitchell
Directed by Rachel Chavkin
Mar 2nd – Mar 13th