Hadestown

The Hadestown poster

Hadestown

Welcome to the finale of our 2024-25 season, and what a finale it is! Hadestown marks the eleventh show the Stagedogs have put on since I took over the program in 2021 and represents the culmination of what I set out to do four years ago. That first year I struggled to find enough students to fill the small cast of The Mousetrap, my first production at WHS. This season, more than 50 students participated in everything from performing on stage, to building the set, to creating the lighting, to building the costumes, to building the props, to stage managing. It's been truly wonderful to see the theater community grow into a family, and I am proud of each and every one of them and their efforts on this production.

Hadestown is a Tony award winning show, currently enjoying a successful run on Broadway and a national tour. It retells the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, but Mitchell sets it in timeless place asking the audience not to "ask where, brother, don't ask when." In keeping with the original staging we've chosen for our above world to be set in a train station cafe and our underworld to be set in an industrial wasteland; however, instead of a modern New Orleans vibe, we've chosen to take from many different time periods and locations. Our Fates are classically Greek. Ms. Hermes is rocking a 70's outfit. Hades and Persephone are from the 1920's. Orpheus and Eurydice are both contemporary. The eclectic nature of the costuming helps us to create a sense of spectacle and wonder.

In continuing to put our own mark on the show, the students have made several purposeful choices in their portrayals. For instance, instead of thinking about the ensemble as workers only, they take on two roles: worker and traveler. Likewise, our dancers have taken on the roles of porters in the above world and daemons in the underworld. It is, however, the character choices we've made with The Fates that are perhaps the most different from the original. I've always struggled with The Fates in the Broadway version of the show. To me they are a bit too nebulous. Sometimes they are the voices in our heads; sometimes they are the larger forces beyond our control that push us around. While both of these ideas are troubling, neither is particularly malicious, and yet The Fates are often portrayed as such without much reason. They are also nebulous in their characterization -- "three old women all dressed the same." The classical Fates are Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos or the maiden, mother and crone. Each served a specific purpose and had a specific personality. Even the gods themselves were subject to their whims. We've chosen to try to portray our Fates as such (within the bounds of what is written in the show) with their own personalities and motivations. I am especially proud of the work these three young women have put into their characterization, especially considering two of them have never acted before.

Finally, there is the central question of the show: why do we tell such a tale? The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a deeply tragic one. We all know how it ends, but as Hermes tells us, we sing it again and again "as if it might turn out this time." Why? The answer is because we hope. There is a sweet sadness in such hope, but more than that it is an act of courage to hope, especially in the face of insurmountable obstacles. At the start of the show Hermes asks the cast and the audience, "Alright?" In doing so, he's asking for our commitment -- our commitment to see the show through; our commitment to experience it; our commitment to hope that it will turn out well even knowing how it will end.

The cast and crew and I hope you will enjoy the show, but more importantly, we hope that you hope.

Thank you again for supporting The Stagedogs! Have a great rest of the year and a great summer, and we'll see you next year!

This show was performed March 14, 15, and 16 in Babcock Hall.

Scenes

Scene 1

Hermes introduces the Company - "Road to Hell"

Hermes & Company

Scene 2

Eurydice is harassed by The Fates - "Any Way the Wind Blows"

Eurydice, Fates, Hermes & Travelers

Scene 3

Orpheus awkwardly flirts with Eurydice - "Come Home with Me"

Orpheus, Eurydice, Hermes & Travelers

Scene 4

Orpheus asks Eurydice to be his wife - "Wedding Song"

Orpheus, Eurydice & Travelers

Scene 5

Orpheus sings the beginning of his magical song for Hermes - "Epic I"

Hermes & Orpheus

Scene 6

Persephone arrives in the above world from Hadestown bringing the summer with her - "LIvin' it Up on Top"

Persephone, Hermes, Orpheus & Company

Scene 7

Eurydice agrees to be with Orpheus - "All I've Ever Known"

Eurydice, Orpheus & Hermes

Scene 8

Hades comes to the above world to collect Persephone - "Way Down Hadestown"

Hermes, Persephone, Fates & Company

Scene 9

Orpheus sequesters himself to work his magical song leaving Eurydice to fend for herself - "Gathering Storm"

Fates, Hermes, Orpheus, Eurydice & Travelers

Scene 10

Orpheus works on his magical song - "Epic II"

Orpheus & Travelers

Scene 11

In Hadestown Persephone complains about its industrialization while Eurydice fends off The Fates in the above world - "Chant"

Company

Scene 12

In order to get back at Persephone, Hades offers Eurydice an escape from The Fates - "Hey, Little Songbird"

Hades & Eurydice

Scene 13

Eurydice considers Hades' invitation to Hadestown - "When the Chips are Down"

Fates, Eurydice, Hermes & Hades

Scene 14

Starving, cold and without Orpheus, Eurydice goes to Hadestown - "Gone, I'm Gone"

Eurydice & Fates

Scene 15

Having finished his magical song, Orpheus realizes Eurydice is gone - "Wait for Me (Intro)"

Orpheus & Hermes

Scene 16

Orpheus takes the back way into Hadestown to rescue Eurydice - "Wait for Me"

Hermes, Orpheus, Fates & Company

Scene 17

In Hadestown, Hades addresses the workers and invites Eurydice into his office - "Why We Build the Wall"

Hades and Company

--INTERMISSION--

Scene 18

Persephone tries to entertain herself in Hadestown - "Our Lady of the Underground"

Persephone, Hermes & Workers

Scene 19

Eurydice faces the consequences of her actions - "Way Down Hadestown (Reprise)"

Eurydice, Fates, Hermes & Workers

Scene 20

Eurydice tries to hold on to her humanity in Hadestown - "Flowers"

Eurydice

Scene 21

Arriving in Hadestown, Orpheus finds Eurydice - "Come Home with Me (Reprise)"

Orpheus & Eurydice

Scene 22

Hades confronts Orpheus and has him beaten - "Papers"

Hades, Persephone, Orpheus, Eurydice & Hermes

Scene 23

The Fates contemplate why things are the way they are - "Nothing Changes"

Fates

Scene 24

Orpheus considers giving up and accepting how things are - "If It's True"

Orpheus, Hermes & Workers

Scene 25

Persephone tries to persuade Hades to let Eurydice go - "How Long"

Persephone & Hades

Scene 26

Orpheus works to persuade the Workers to rebel - "Chant (Reprise)"

Company

Scene 27

Orpheus sings his magical song to persuade Hades to let Eurydice go; Hades and Persephone reconcile - "Epic III"

Orpheus & Company

Scene 28

Orpheus and Eurydice reconcile - "Promises"

Eurydice, Orpheus & Workers

Scene 29

The Fates mock Hades in order to undermine Eurydice's escape - "Word to the Wise"

Hades & Eurydice

Scene 30

Hades decides to let Eurydice go, but with a catch - "His Kiss, the Riot"

Hades

Scene 31

Orpheus and Eurydice walk back to the above world - "Wait for Me (Reprise)"

Eurydice & Fates

Scene 32

The Fates sow doubt in Orpheus in order to prevent him from being with Eurydice - "Doubt Comes In"

Fates, Orpheus, Eurydice & Workers

Scene 33

Having lost Eurydice again, the cast comes together to contemplate why we continue to tell this tale - "Road to Hell"

Hermes & Company

Epilogue

The cast toasts Orpheus, a true artist, someone who sees the world as it could be - "Raise a Cup"

Persephone, Eurydice & Company

Cast

Orpheus

Amy White '25

Eurydice

Sadie Howell '26

Persephone

Natalie Francese '26

Hades

Dylan Tallardy '25

Hermes

Kennedy Turner '27

The Fates (Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos)

Lilly Chandronnet '26

Keira Poquette '25

Aaliyah Terras '25

The Travelers/Workers

Mia Chapman '27

Fiona Doyle '27

Noah Dulac '26

Ashley Franeski '25

Rowan Howell '28

Emma Isaacs '27

Ava Lauria '25

Nolan Tripp '26

Porters/Daemons/Workers

Indiana Hurley '25

Lillyana Isbell '27

Ocean Lombard '26

Felicity Orlando '26

Crew

Music Director

Dylan Tallardy '25

Choreographer

Indiana Hurley '25

Production Stage Manager

Paul Albamonti '26

Stage Manager

Lexie Yemma '27

Crew

Dominick Durfee '26

Bryan Wreford '25

Ziyan Zheng '27

Lighting Board Operator

Lucas Santiago '25

Set Design, Construction and Dressing

Schane Tallardy

Special Lighting Construction (For "Wait For Me"")

Schane Tallardy

Set Construction

Paul Albamonti '26

Dominick Durfee '26

Set Dressing

Paul Albamonti '26

Lilly Chandronnet '26

Noah Dulac '26

Dominick Durfee '26

Natalie Francese '26

Sadie Howell '26

Brianna Perry '26

Nikki Walsh '26

Makeup Design

Keira Poquette '25

Makeup Artists

Celeste Renna '25

Nikki Walsh '26

Costume Designer/Coordinator

Melissa Tallardy

Costume Construction

Lillyana Isbell '27

Kathy Tallardy

Property Manager

Nancy Chambers

Printing Coordinator

Christopher Kelley

House Manager

Melissa Tallardy

Director

Ryan D Zemanek, M.Ed.

The WHS Stagedogs Proudly Present

Hadestown:

TEEN ADDITION

By Anais Mitchell

Originally Produced on Broadway by

Mars Isaacs, Dale Franzen,

Hunter Arnold, and Tom Kirdshy

Original New York Production developed with and directed by

Rachel Chavkin

Arrangements and Orchestrations by

Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose

Hadestown was co-conceived by

Ben T Matchstick

"Papers Instrumental" by

Michael Chorney

and published by

Seoats Music (ASCAP)

Vocal Arrangements by

Liam Robinson

Additional Vocal Arrangements by

Justin Vernon and the Haden Triplets

This show depicts alcohol and drug use.

HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Corp. www.concordtheatricals.com

This production was under consideration for the Providence Performing Arts Center Ocean State Star Awards

OSSA Winners:

Outstanding Musical

Outstanding Lead Performer - Amy White

Outstanding Supporting Performer - Lilly Chandronnet

Outstanding Supporting Performer - Keria Poquette

Outstanding Supporting Performer - Aaliyah Terras

Outstanding Dance Performance - Noah Dulac

Outstanding Stage Manager - Paul Albamonti

Outstanding Technical Achievement

Outstanding Light Design - Ryan Zemanek

Outstanding Costume Designer - Melissa Tallardy

Outstanding Set Design - Schane Tallardy

Outstanding Music Direction - Dylan Tallardy

Outstanding Director - Ryan Zemanek

Special Thanks to Amy White and Dylan Tallardy

Both Dylan and Amy have been with the program from the beginning of the new generation of Stagedogs, performing in almost every show.

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