Walter Kerr Theatre
Broadway
24 August 2025
Matinee
I had honestly put off seeing Hadestown since the show opened on Broadway because I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy it. I had heard some of the music before, but always out of context and I knew the story from Greek mythology, so I never got around to seeing this show before. Clearly, the importance of retelling this story was lost on me until now.
However, I kept hearing about people who have “seen the show 17 times” or who have decided to get a “Hadestown” tattoo and this began to sway my opinion, so I purchased tickets. Directly before the show, I had a moment to speak with my aunt and a friend of her’s and I am so glad that I did. My aunt’s friend very briefly compared Maybe Happy Ending to Hadestown and I had never heard that comparison before – I can absolutely see why she compared these two shows!
Both shows are so full and complete in their storytelling. Both shows are deeply layered. Perhaps most notably though, both shows are very human.
When I was in college, I took many creative writing courses and in doing so, I read a story written by a classmate that was about a woman who elected to let herself be hurt over and over again (in the classmate’s story, the main character perpetually chose to raise a child that would tragically pass away, and this would happen over and over again, essentially as a loop) and it baffled me as to why the character would continue to choose pain. My professor looked me in the eye and said, “Because she’s human. And to continue to feel the pain in order to have short lived parts of good, is innately human”. That stuck with me. And that is the essence of Hadestown.
The entire ensemble was flawless. Every movement of their choreography was clearly well rehearsed, but it did not feel like it was well rehearsed – it just felt flawless. This extended beyond the actors though, and into the set itself. The use of lighting in the choreography is incredibly impactful, perfectly illuminating the main characters when appropriate, but also able to show us the depth of the darkness in actual Hades. Even more so, is the effect of the turntable (made up of three sections, all three able to spin independently of the others, and with the middle piece being an elevator that both lowers below the stage and also elevate the actors higher than stage level) which is more than effective in both showing people going down to Hades and also works to show Orpheus making his long walk. In fact, in times of high destress to the main characters, the turntable would be utilised in a way to create confusion, tension, almost a dizziness with the movement on stage; which forces the audience to feel the emotions that the characters are feeling.
Orpheus was played by Ali Louis Bourzgui who was phenomenal as a young boy in love. Vocally, at the beginning of the show, it did feel like he was perhaps struggling to hit those (insanely) high notes. That feeling was short lived, however, as within a song or two, he was able to sing it rather angelically. So perhaps, he wasn’t struggling at all. Maybe the character of Orpheus just did not know how to fully sing the song yet.
Eurydice was played by Myra Molloy and honestly it is hard to believe this is a Broadway debut for her. She has amazing command of the stage, is undoubtably a talented singer, and most importantly, was very believable in her portrayal.
Phillip Boykin portrayed the character of Hades and he most definitely did not disappoint. His booming voice is certainly one that is well suited for the role! So big, so powerful, but also the ability to turn that around and to be soft and sweet. This ability gives the character of Hades such depth.
Daniel Breaker played Hermes and Lana Gordon portrayed Persephone. Both of these actors are amazing vocal performers who’s characters both lead the audience (and other characters) through the story, but also who reveal the softer side of Hades (and why that softer side is even there).
This show was very obviously well thought out, with nothing seeming to be have been left up to chance. Every single thing in this show, no matter how small, feels intentional. And it is beautiful. This show is a masterpiece.
