Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Anaïs Mitchell breathes fresh, new life into classic mythology with her folk musical Hadestown. Orpheus, a passionate and talented musician, and Eurydice, an independent and resilient young woman, fall in love at first sight, as though it was--and perhaps is--destined by The Fates. Though neither has much to their name, Orpheus is determined that love will see them through anything. Their love blossoms in spring and flourishes in summer, but is tested when autumn and hardship come. Hardship breeds doubt and difficult choices must be made. When Eurydice unknowingly signs away her soul to Hades, master of the factory Hadestown, Orpheus is prepared to venture to hell and back, armed with nothing but his music and his love, to bring her home once more. Set to Mitchell’s gorgeous folk-rock score, Hadestown tells a poignant, vibrant story of love that manages, even amongst tragedy, to find hope.
Show Information
- Book
- Anaïs Mitchell
- Music
- Anaïs Mitchell
- Lyrics
- Anaïs Mitchell
- Conceived By
- Anaïs Mitchell
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2016
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- A Depression-esque world where all struggle to get by, and the hellish factory of Hadestown down below
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Young Adult, Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Hadestown was created by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell. The folk-opera was first staged in 2006 in the cities of Barre and Vergennes in Mitchell’s home state of Vermont, followed by a tour through ten cities in Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007. In 2010, Hadestown was released as a concept album featuring Mitchell as Eurydice, Justin Vernon (of indie band Bon Iver) as Orpheus, Ani DiFranco as Persephone, Ben Knox Miller (of indie band The Low Anthem) as Hermes, Greg Brown as Hades, and
to read the context for Hadestown and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
The world is a bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape, their town similar to small rural community hit hard by the Great Depression. The god Hermes, narrator of this tale, takes the stage to tell the old, sad song of Orpheus and Eurydice. He introduces the main players of the story: Orpheus, Hermes’ ward, a young romantic musician; Persephone, wife of Hades, ready to jump off the train in town “with a suitcase full of summertime”; and The Fates, three women who see and know all,
to read the plot for Hadestown and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Road to Hell - Hermes, Company
- Any Way the Wind Blows - Hermes, The Fates, Eurydice, Orpheus
- Come Home With Me - Orpheus, Eurydice, Workers
- Wedding Song - Eurydice, Orpheus, Workers
- Epic I - Hermes, Orpheus
- Livin’ It Up on Top - Hermes, Persephone, Orpheus, Workers
- All I’ve Ever Known (Intro) - Hermes
- All I’ve Ever Known - Eurydice, Orpheus
- Way Down Hadestown - Hermes, Persephone, The Fates, Workers
- A Gathering Storm - Hermes, Eurydice, Orpheus, The Fates
- Epic II - Orpheus, Workers
- Chant - Persephone, Hades, Eurydice, Orpheus, Hermes, The Fates, Workers
- Hey, Little Songbird - Hades, Eurydice
- When the Chips Are Down (Intro) - Hermes, Eurydice, Hades
- When the Chips Are Down - The Fates, Eurydice
- Gone, I’m Gone - Eurydice, The Fates
- Wait for Me (Intro) - Hermes, Orpheus
- Wait for Me - Hermes, Orpheus, The Fates, Workers
- Why We Build the Wall - Hades, Eurydice, Company
- Why We Build the Wall (Outro) - Hermes
ACT TWO
- Our Lady of the Underground - Persephone, Company
- Way Down Hadestown (Reprise) - The Fates, Eurydice, Hermes, Workers
- Flowers - Eurydice
- Come Home With Me (Reprise) - Orpheus, Eurydice
- Papers (Intro) - Hades, Hermes, Orpheus
- Papers - Instrumental
- Nothing Changes - The Fates
- If It’s True - Orpheus, Hermes, Workers
- How Long? - Persephone, Hades
- Chant (Reprise) - Hermes, Hades, Orpheus, Persephone, Eurydice, Workers
- Epic III - Orpheus, Company
- Epic III (Outro) - Hermes, Orpheus
- Promises - Eurydice, Orpheus
- Word to the Wise - The Fates
- His Kiss, the Riot - Hades
- Wait for Me (Reprise) [Intro] - Hermes, Orpheus, Eurydice
- Wait for Me (Reprise) - Hermes, Orpheus, Eurydice, Persephone, Hades, the Fates, Workers
- Doubt Comes In - The Fates, Orpheus, Eurydice, Workers
- Road to Hell (Reprise) - Hermes, Company
- We Raise Our Cups - Persephone, Eurydice, Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Genre of music inspired by oral traditions and often without a specific composer, sharing stories of national or cultural identity. Folk music is regional and found worldwide.
Stories from ancient cultures about divine figures and supernatural events, often considered as a combination of literature, science, history, and religion
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
