Well, color us amazed! The seven Matinee Friends who attended the Spotlight Youth Theatre presentation of “Hadestown” on Sunday, Jan. 19, were very impressed with every facet of the production. The direction was perfect, the choreography was advanced and perfectly executed, the costumes were beautifully made and enhanced the characterizations, the set was appropriately grimy and dark and atmospheric, and the teen musicians provided support for the sung-through show. The tall young man playing Hades had the most piercing eyes and the deepest voice we had ever heard; he was very spooky and made a perfect Hades. We were stunned to learn all the actors were 19 or younger; they would be accepted on any stage in the valley! “Hadestown” was nominated for 14 Tony awards in 2019, and won eight, including Best Musical. The musical combines two classic Greek myths of love and heartbreak: Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone. It reimagines them in a gritty, industrial setting scored with jazz and folk music. “Hadestown” was presented at Gammage in 2022 and I was very disappointed to miss it there. But It is hard for me to believe that the traveling Broadway version could have been much better than this one we so enjoyed at the little storefront theater in Peoria!
MVWC
Moon Valley Women’s Club
