|
Regional Reviews: Phoenix Hadestown: Teen Edition Also see Gil's review of Grand Horizons
Hadestown reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a Depression-era-inspired New Orleans that manages to echo both the past and a post-apocalyptic future. Orpheus, a poor but gifted musician, falls in love with Eurydice, a drifter searching for stability. When Eurydice makes a deal with Hades, ruler of the underworld, to escape her hardships, Orpheus embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her. For the teen edition of the show it seems that very little has been changed, with all of the plot and songs intact, as far as I could tell, from the original production. While Hadestown offers a compelling premise and explores themes of love, trust and sacrifice, the musical itself is not without flaws. At times, it feels overly long, with certain scenes and songs dragging down the forward-moving momentum of the plot. While Mitchell's score has standout numbers like "Wait for Me," "Our Lady of the Underground" and "Why We Build the Wall," several songs feel repetitive, disjointed, and occasionally lack emotional resonance. Also, the somewhat simple lyrics never rise to the level of the music. Additionally, the show takes a while to completely gel and doesn't truly take off until "Wait for Me," which comes well into the first act, and the song that Orpheus spends the entire show writing turns out to not be just average. The book also has its flaws. Considering how quickly and deeply Orpheus and Eurydice fall in love, it seems questionable as to why Eurydice so quickly decides to take Hades up on his offer to enter the underground. There are several other confusing moments like that in the script as well. While I have some quibbles with the musical, the Spotlight cast is exceptional and makes the best of the shortcomings in the material. As Orpheus, Jacob Price brings a youthful vulnerability and a clear singing voice with crisp notes that beautifully conveys the character's idealism and artistic passion. With a pure yet earthy singing voice, Katerina Anderson captures Eurydice's angst and raw emotional depth, portraying a young woman torn between love and survival with heartbreaking authenticity. The chemistry between Price and Anderson is palpable, which grounds the story's emotional stakes and makes the audience feel engaged and connected with the material throughout. The supporting cast is equally impressive. As Hermes, the charismatic narrator, Janaysha Garcia guides the story with wit and warmth, effortlessly engaging the audience in a performance that is superb and constantly engaging. Hades is played by Eli Franklin with a commanding presence and a deep, rumbling voice that embodies his power and menace. Jaely Damasco is a scene-stealer as Hades' wife Persephone, balancing sultry charm with a poignant melancholy to depict the character's conflicted nature and delivering vibrant solo numbers that soar. As the Fates, the trio of singers who serve as somewhat of a Greek chorus to the action, Reagan Little, Morgan Massey, and Sarina Arbaugh are a haunting presence with lush harmonies that reflect and comment on the story's tragic events. The small ensemble cast shine throughout. The Broadway production uses turntables, elevated set areas, and a scenic design that splits and opens up to reveal the underground. Here, Jack Taylor's assured direction shows you don't need all of those elements with staging that is crisp and clear and performances that are infused with emotion and allow the story to unfold with clarity; only the staging of the show's final last ten minutes, when some of the characters leave the underworld, could be tightened up so the emotional impact resonates more. Falin Taylor's choreography is constantly superb, with varied movements and styles that enhance the story and are well danced by the entire cast. The creative elements are wonderful. Rob Adams' set works well on Spotlight's small stage to depict the various locations in the story. Ellie Little's moody lighting evokes both the romance of the story and the despair of the underworld. Samantha Utpadel's costume design are gorgeous and Angel DeMichael's hair and makeup designs feature evocative touches for the characters. Elise Kurbat's music direction derives sharp vocals from the cast and a beautiful sound from the small but excellent onstage band. The sound design by Nevaeh Monk ensures every note and lyric is clear. Spotlight's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition has a great cast, exceptional staging, and impressive creative elements. While the musical itself has moments that feel overly long or musically uneven, this production's cast and direction make it emotionally resonating and quite a compelling journey through love, loss, and redemption. Hadestown: Teen Edition runs through February 2, 2025, at Spotlight Youth Theatre, 10620 N 43rd Avenue, Glendale AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.spotlightyouththeatre.org or call 602-843-8318 Director: Jack Taylor Cast: |
