Performing arts students at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School have been hard at work since last September, fashioning a compelling performance of “Hadestown,” which will run from Feb. 12 to 15 at the Performing Arts Center.
The show, by Anaïs Mitchell, is a Tony- and Grammy-winning musical that reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, intertwining it with that of Hades and Persephone. Hermes narrates the tale, which is set in a bleak, Depression-era, postapocalyptic America where people struggle, are impoverished, and live in unpredictable conditions. We follow Orpheus’ quest to rescue his love, Eurydice, whom Hades lures to his underground sweatshop, where workers have food and shelter but lose their freedom. The musical, blending folk music and New Orleans jazz, explores the power of art, hope, and the beauty of perseverance, even in the face of inevitable failure.
Brooke Hardman Ditchfield, director of the high school theater department, says, “We know how the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice ends [when the lovers are forever separated]. But the myth, by definition, is a story that gets retold and reshaped by the shifts of time. It’s been passed down, and when you retell it, you get to tell it your way, confident that the story will begin again.”
She continues, “‘Hadestown’ is a great way to get our students up close and personal with Greek mythology, and its message is innately human: No matter how hard the journey might be, we begin again, because that’s our nature, and where hope comes from — that this time, it will turn out different.”
For the past several years, Ditchfield has been creating double casts for the musicals. “We like to give more students the opportunity to lead the cast and take on principal parts,” she says. Speaking with several students from both casts after a recent rehearsal, it is clear that several of the show’s themes touch them.
Scarcity versus security plays out with Eurydice, who falls in love with Orpheus. However, since life is tough and survival isn’t assured, she makes a desperate decision and descends to Hadestown, trading her freedom for safety. Georgia DeRoche explains her interpretation of Eurydice: “She is a hungry young girl who has trouble trusting people. But she finds love. The show is her journey through that, and what happens along the way.” Georgia notes that themes of friendship, letting go of people, and finding those who mean a lot to you also appear throughout the musical. Hydee Turner, who alternately plays Eurydice, finds that she personally relates to the role: “Eurydice is very vulnerable, but has a tough outer shell. Throughout the show, though, she lets people in, like Orpheus, and I can relate to that.”
Orpheus follows Eurydice into the underworld, convinced his music and love will be able to bring her back. Luiz Lacerda says about the role, “I connect with this character a lot. I feel his pain. This experience is bringing out a new emotional side that I had put down for many years. It’s weird but interesting to see what comes out, and when.”
Also playing Orpheus, Bryan Fernandes says, “It’s an absolute blast getting to play a more emotional character than I’ve done before. It’s also the first lead role I’ve ever had, so that’s been a whirlwind of fun. Part of it is knowing that there is more responsibility, and that they trust me.”
Brady Vought says of his role as ruler of the underworld, “Hades is the capitalist king of hell who keeps coming for his wife Persephone [the goddess of spring] early, which means winter comes early. So there’s no spring, there’s no food, and everyone’s hungry.”
In the underworld, Persephone observes as Hades, who confines workers and transforms love into ownership, becomes someone she barely recognizes. Playing Persephone, Lilli Claussen connects with the show’s themes of togetherness, love, and loss. Cayhana Williams compares Persephone to Mother Nature, and the role reminds her “to be free. To be with nature and have fun.”
Speaking about his role, Anthony Smith says, “I like to play Hermes as being very confident in the choices I make.”
Rayssa Moraes, who also plays Hermes, adds, “It’s been a lot of fun to be this character who does what he wants as Orpheus’ mentor or parent figure.” Moraes has found being in the show an important experience. “I’ve definitely learned to believe in myself more. Hermes is such a confident character, who must be there, in the moment, all the time, which is a good challenge.”
In “Hadestown,” the Fates function less like gods and more like manifestations of intrusive thoughts and anxiety. They don’t directly control destiny, but Genevieve Wise, who plays one of them, notes, “I see the Fates as the personification of doubt. We are the storytellers and the orchestrators of the choices the characters make. We are almost like that little voice in the back of your head that whispers to do or not do things, except that we are physical beings in ‘Hadestown,’ and influence characters to make decisions.”
Jason Jarrell, the stage manager, makes an astute comment about the parallel between the ancient oral tradition associated with myths and this production of “Hadestown”: “We as a company get to do this show every night, and then we get to do it again. I think it’s a real nod to theater where we get to tell the story repeatedly, and we have different experiences every time.”
And what we see as the audience is that although hope is fragile and breaks, it keeps appearing anyway.
“Hadestown” will be at the Performing Arts Center on Feb. 12, 13, and 14 at 7 pm, and on Feb. 15 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.
