Hadestown at the Pantages

image by Jarisse Nabung

following photos by Jian Palma

by Jarisse Nabung

Last month, on

November 2nd, was the closing night of award-winning musical, Hadestown, at the Hollywood Pantages. A retelling of two classic Greek myths, “young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and Queen Persephone”, the show is a delight for both Greek mythology enjoyers and the general public. Having seen the show on its opening week and absolutely loving it, I figured Hadestown deserves its flowers for such captivating artistry, even if its run is over. And don’t worry– this is spoiler-free. 

The Performance

Hadestown at the Pantages was not my first experience with the show; I had the pleasure of watching it on Broadway earlier this year, so admittedly, I walked into the Hollywood theatre with some high expectations. However, as soon as the cast began, I was hooked. My favorite thing about Hadestown is how intimate the entire show feels, a highlight being that the live band is actually on set. Seeing them interact and even dance with the ensemble was amazing. Note: if you ever see the show, do NOT sleep on the trombonist. He is mesmerizing. 

The main cast was absolutely stellar as well; there wasn’t a single performance that I felt was lacking. My personal favorite was Megan Colton. She had a special take on Eurydice, who in this retelling is a girl who's all too familiar with poverty. Her range was able to capture Eurydice’s resentful and softer side with power that had me astonished. I especially adored her version of “All I’ve Ever Known” and her interactions with Orpheus. Every member of the cast, however, all had aspects I enjoyed too! 

Persephone, played by Namisa Mdlalose Bizana, perfectly captured the eccentricity of the alcoholic goddess. Despite my familiarity with the show, Hades’ (Nickolaus Colon) baritone still took me aback, especially with how well his vocal control was. Jose Contreras’ portrayal of Orpheus, a boy prodigy, was so endearing and even made me cry during “Epic III”; truly in character. No one harmonizes as well as The Fates (Miriam Navarrete, Alli Sutton, Jayna Wescoatt), and their performance alone puts “Doubt Comes In” as one of my favorite songs in the soundtrack. And Rudy Foster’s Hermes? That man can BELT. By the end of the first number, he had my jaw dropped. 

The Underworld and Its Workers

The Pantages is a small theater, which made me a little skeptical, especially when I saw the set. I raised an eyebrow at its lack of a turntable, which was my favorite part about the Broadway set, and I worried that some climatic parts just wouldn’t hit the same without it. 

Thankfully, as this production always does, they proved me wrong. What the show lacked in scale, they made up for in choreography. My favorite usage of the turntable is in the song, “Chant”, where rulers of the Underworld, Hades and Persephone, stand elevated on a platform as the workers kneel beneath them, the entire group slowly turning on stage. Did I miss the platform? Yes. Did the ensemble hit that? Also yes. I’m a sucker for dance breaks, and this show is full of them. The choreography was just so infectious, everyone looks like they’re having so much fun that you just want to get up and dance with them. 

I’m not too knowledgeable on other musicals, so I don’t know how innovative Hadestown is with its set, but its design was on a whole other level. With the lighting, I loved how connected it was to the songs, especially in Hadestown itself. Paired with the fact that the set actually moves had me smiling from ear to ear like a little kid, not just on my first watch, but my rewatch at the Pantages as well. It felt almost magical, seeing actual smoke coming out of the stage’s wings or lanterns descending from the ceiling, it was fitting for a musical based on the gods. I don’t want to spoil too much, so just make sure you’re seated and attentive during “Wait for Me”, the way the set is used there is phenomenal. Experiencing that blind will always be a core memory for me. 

We Raise Our Cups

Somehow, this article alone was not enough to capture how much I adore this show. In under a year, Hadestown has already worked its way up to one of my favorite pieces of media. While the production is already wonderful on its own, the message it carries is one that’s stuck with me since my first watch at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York. It’s sappy, yes, but I hope that just serves as a testament to how beautiful this show is, and even motivates you to catch it the next time it’s on tour! While Hadestown presents itself as a love story, it’s also about the power of hope and how art impacts us. It’s a timeless tale about how in the face of adversity, art can make us believe. And that belief can push us through any hardship.

by Marguerite Kate Villanueva

Overview

As someone who is an avid enjoyer of Greek mythology myself, I find Hadestown especially captivating. It’s safe to say that I have never seen a show reinterpret such a beloved myth in a way that is both faithful to its roots, yet refreshingly original. Despite not being an exact retelling of the original Greek tale, the show captures the heart of the story so well that the changes feel purposefully made, enhancing the emotional aspects of the story rather than distract from it. 

Even though I’ve only watched the show a couple of times online rather than in person, there’s still something especially magnetic about this production that pulls you in as if you’re sitting in the theater yourself. Now that I’ve finally had the chance to experience it live, that feeling only amplified. Everything felt richer, closer, and almost overwhelming in the best way possible. 

Cast

A big part of the production’s quality comes from the characters, especially Eurydice. Megan Colton’s interpretation of her feels grounded and painfully human simultaneously. Though I have listened to the cast album of Hadestown multiple times, hearing Megan’s rendition of “Flowers” actually made me cry. Her dynamic with Jose Contreras’ Orpheus is just as striking, as their chemistry carries this sort of innocence and charm that makes their connection feel especially real.

Nickolaus Colon’s Hades also left a huge impression on me, as his presence was so commanding that even from a far seat, it felt like the entire room shifted whenever he appeared on stage. The way he delivers every line and note makes the Underworld feel both terrifying and alluring, which is exactly how I believe a modern interpretation of Hades should feel like. Hades himself can sometimes be a controversial figure in mythology, however, in this interpretation of the King of the Underworld, I can see exactly how his love for Persephone shines through his hardened demeanor.

Jose Contreras' Orpheus brings a gentleness to the character that perfectly balances with the show’s heavier moments. There was something so earnest about the way that he carries the role, hopeful and almost fragile in his determination to save his one true love, that it becomes impossible not to root for Orpheus. His vocals have this clear, melodic quality that fits Orpheus’ “boy prodigy” nature without feeling overdone. During the more emotional songs, such as “Wait For Me”, his desperation for Eurydice comes through as if he were Orpheus himself, fully immersed in his fear of entering the Underworld, while also perfectly capturing his longing to reunite with Eurydice. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you exactly why Orpheus has always been one of the most enduring figures in mythology. He believes, even when he shouldn’t, and Jose captures that spirit beautifully.

Rudy Foster’s Hermes, on the other hand, has an energy that instantly anchors the entire show. The moment he introduces himself, you can feel the atmosphere lighten. With a charismatic confidence, he plays Hermes accurately to his myth, someone who knows every secret of the story yet still tills it with excitement, as if he’s sharing it for the first time. What really stood out to me was his interactions with Orpheus, as I found their mentor-mentee relationship especially endearing. 

Atmosphere

What stood out to me most, though, was the atmosphere of the musical. Hadestown creates a world that feels alive. The blend of music, lighting, and blocking forms something so immersive and dreamlike that I found myself forgetting everything else around me. Though I was disappointed by the lack of a turntable usually seen in the original Broadway rendition of the musical, every other element of the set worked in cohesion to suck you right into the story itself. From the lighting and sound design, everything was absolutely perfect and only helped enhance the experience even further. I cannot yet think of another musical that utilizes the set in the way that Hadestown does, and I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to experience it in person.

Overall, Hadestown is one of those rare shows that manages to carve out a space in your mind long after the final song. The characters, the performances, and the atmosphere are absolutely phenomenal. The next time that I have the opportunity to watch this musical, I will definitely jump at the chance. Perhaps next time, I’ll finally be able to watch it in person on Broadway. Until then, I will continue to stream the original cast’s recording.