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Hadestown


It's unorthodox, but I'm starting this review with some of the technical aspects that are often overlooked. 

The set design was phenomenal. They pretty much travel with a stage they place on top of the venue's stage. There is a rotating piece that adds to the action on stage. Two of the massive winged seated sections move as well, which adds to the atmosphere.

I enjoyed seeing the band on stage as part of the show rather than stuck in an orchestra pit where no one can see how much they contribute.

Hades was well cast. His deep voice was perfectly chosen to effectively capture the essence of this powerful god.

Eurydice was hot. She was my favourite singer and I loved the duet with Orpheus. She was also an accomplished dancer.

Orpheus was well cast. He had a sweet innocence about him. His voice was reminicent of Jaskier from The Witcher.

I found Hermes just OK for me. I felt like something was missing with his performance or perhaps the issue was that the transitions between singing and speaking segments were not smooth enough.

The Fates were enjoyable though I don't have a lot more to say on them.

Persephone was also just OK for me. I think the Persephone in my mind from other adaptations, including Percy Jackson, may have been at odds with this version of her.

I wasn't sure what the swinging hanging lights piece was aiming to convey.

Dancing was on point.

I think that the only problem I had was that it wasn't always clear to me whether or not we were in the Underworld or the regular one, but that could have been a me issue. My other issue was that I should never choose the first row in a balcony as the bar is just at the wrong height for me to stay comfortable throughout the evening.

Overall, I think it was worth going to see it and I'm enjoying the songs all again via Spotify. Many have a big band brassy New Orleans style to them. 

My biggest surprise was that I never expected a play about Hell to instill hope for the future.

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