Ozaukee Living local
  • Home
  • Stories
  • Events
  • #LiveMusicLove
  • Wisconsin Theatre News

#EditorOfOzReviews Wisconsin Live Theatre 

The theatre is the only institution in the world which has been dying for four thousand years and has never succumbed.  It requires tough and devoted people to keep it alive.
John Steinbeck                    

​Be sure to subscribe to Ozaukee Living Local's weekly newsletter to get the latest in Wisconsin Theatre News!

Broadway at the Marcus Center presents: HADESTOWN

5/3/2023

1 Comment

 
Picture
Hannah Whitley as Eurydice and J. Antonio Rodriguezas as Orpheus in the North American touring production of HADESTOWN as part of the Broadway at the Marcus Center series in Milwaukee through May 7th. Photo by T. Charles Erikson.

By Mary Boyle

In Greek mythology, Eurydice was the wife of Orpheus, who was known for his musical skills.  When Eurydice dies shortly after their wedding, Orpheus travels to the underworld, the land of the dead, to bring her back with the lure of his enchanting music.  There, he encounters Hades, the ruler of the dead, who agrees to let Orpheus take Eurydice back to the light, but on one condition: he must lead the way, while Eurydice follows, and he must not look back.  This ancient tale, sad as it is, has been retold countless times through the ages, but now it has reached the world of the Broadway musical in the form of HADESTOWN, winner of eight Tony awards, four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.  In short, it was a hit, and thanks to the Broadway at the Marcus Center series, the show has made its way to Milwaukee.

Directed by Rachel Chavkin, with music, lyrics and book by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the North American touring production of Hadestown stars Nathan Lee Graham as Hermes, who serves as a very enignmatic narrator of the story; Maria-Christina Oliveras as Hades' frustrated wife, Persephone; Matthew Patrick Quinnas as the dark and formidable Hades; J. Antonio Rodriguezas, who is a stand-out, vocally, as Orpheus;  and,  the lovely Hannah Whitley as Eurydice.  The Fates are played by Dominique Kempf, Belén Moyano, and Nyla Watson, and they are a little band in their own right, often playing with the live band that is on stage throughout the production. The Workers Chorus features Jordan Bollwerk, Jamal Lee Harris, Courtney Lauster, Eddie Noel Rodríguez, and Racquel Williams. 

The music is what makes this production really shine - a blend of modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz that won the 2020 Grammy for best Musical Theater Album.  Paired with the costumes by Michael Krass and scenic design by Rachel Hauck and the entire production comes off as a sort of steam punk meets O Brother Where Art Thou vibe that is entirely compelling.  

Hermes says, "It's a sad song, but we sing it anyway," and it is sad, but what the audience ultimately walks away with is hope.  Orpheus sees the world the way it could be instead of how it is and reaches towards love above all.  There is a profound lesson here, should you choose to learn it.

HADESTOWN runs through May 7th at the Marcus Center's Uihlein Hall.  Tickets to Hadestown start at $40 and are available online at www.MarcusCenter.org, by calling 414-273-7206, or in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street in Milwaukee. Groups of 10 or more cansecure their seats by calling 414-273-7207.

Ticket buyers are reminded that the Marcus Performing Arts Center Box Office/Ticketmaster are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at Marcus Performing Arts Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Marcus Performing Arts Center is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

About Marcus Performing Arts Center
The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) serves as a performing arts community gathering space in Southeastern Wisconsin, bringing high-quality arts and cultural programming to the region for over 50 years. As a mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of performing arts. Through multiple performance series and community events, MPAC brings a diverse range of performing arts to the region. Presented series include Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center, MPAC Presents, Dance, Jazz, National Geographic Live, Rainbow Summer, and additional special performances from internationally renowned artists. MPAC's education, community engagement, and inclusion initiatives provide free experiences that annually engage students and life-long learners in Milwaukee. MPAC is proud to be a dedicated War Memorial facility, honoring those who bravely served our country. For more information, visit www.marcuscenter.org.
 
Johnson Financial Group, with offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is a privately owned financial services company offering banking, wealth and insurance solutions through its subsidiaries, Johnson Bank, Johnson Wealth, and Johnson Insurance Services. For more information visit johnsonfinancialgroup.com.
 
Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. Led by 18-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon and Hamilton. Current and past productions include Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls, Moulin Rouge! and To Kill A Mockingbird.


1 Comment
Milton Keynes Swingers link
2/5/2025 05:52:21 am

Lovely blog you hhave here

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Mary Boyle

    Reviewing live theatre in Wisconsin since 2014.  Proud member of the American Theatre Critics Association.

    americantheatrecritics.org

    #OzTheatre

    Memories Dinner Theater 
    Cedarburg Cultural Center 
    Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
    Cedarburg Children's Theater 

    Port Summer Musical Theatre 
     

    Dance
    Pommersche Tanzdeel 

    Music
    ​Lakeshore Symphonic Band 
    Ozaukee Chorus

    ​Port Washington City Band

    #MkeTheatre

    Milwaukee Repertory Theater 
    Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
    Skylight Music Theatre 
    Florentine Opera 
    Milwaukee Opera Theatre
    First Stage Children's Theater
    Next Act
    Renaissance Theaterworks 
    Theatre Gigante 
    Vanuard Productions 
    Secret Handshake Productions
    The Constructivists 
    Boulevard Theatre 
    Optimist Theatre

        Shakespeare in the Park 
    ​Bombshell Theatre Co.  
    Kith & Kin Theatre Collective
    Pink Umbrella Theater Co.
     
        Accessible Theater for All
    Morning Star Productions 
    Kids From Wisconsin 
    ​Milwaukee Youth Theatre


    Dance 
    Milwaukee Ballet 
    Danceworks
    Kho-Thi Dance Company 
    Water Street Dance Company 
    Wild Space Dance Company 
    Warped Dance Company 


    Music
    Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
    Festival City Symphony 
    Present Music 
    Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra - MYSO 
    The Milwaukee Choristers

    #WITheatre

    American Players Theatre
    Spring Green, WI
    Fireside Theatre
    Fort Atkinson, WI
    Door Shakespeare
    Northern Sky Theater
    Peninsula Players Theatre
    ​Third Avenue PlayWorks

    Door County, WI 
    Summit Players Theatre
        Shakespeare in State Parks
    Forward Theater Company
    Madison Shakespeare 
    Children's Theater of Madison 
    ​Madison Opera

    Madison, WI
    Sunset Playhouse
    Elm Grove, WI
    Wilson Center
    Brookfield, WI
    Waukesha Civic Theatre
    Lake Country Playhouse

    Hartland, WI 
    West Bend Theatre Co.
    Musical Masquers 
    Spotlight Productions
    West Bend, WI
    Lakeshore Productions, Inc.
    Random Lake, WI
    Kettle Moraine Playhouse
    Slinger, WI
    Sheboygan Theatre Co. 
    TYA, Sheboygan
    Weil Center
    Sheboygan, WI
    ​Falls Patio Players 
    Menomonee Falls, WI
    Schauer Arts Center
    Hartford, WI
    Ghostlight Theatre Co.
    Fond du Lac, WI
     Fond du Lac Community  Theatre
    Fond du Lac, WI
    In Tandem Theatre
    Fond du Lac, WI

    Music
    Kettle Moraine Symphony
    ​
    Umbrella Groups
    United Performing Arts Fund 
    Milwaukee Theatre Alliance
    Imagine MKE
    World Premier Wisconsin
    Mad Stage 
    Wisconsin Dance Council
    ​
    Wisconsin Arts Board  

    Small Arts & Culture Cohort
    ​

    Categories

    All
    Broadway
    Broadway At The Marcus
    Digital
    EditorOfOzReviews
    First Stage
    Forward Theater Co.
    Holidays
    Madison
    Milwaukee
    Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
    MkeTheatre
    Musical
    Renaissance Theaterworks
    Theatre
    The Rep
    Youth Theatre

    Archives

    June 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022

    RSS Feed

Published By:

Picture

Ozaukee Living Local
A Community Supported Publication

OLL is always looking for Contributing Writers and Photography, which is an excellent way to highlight what your business or organization is doing in Oz.  Not a writer but have a Story Idea or Event Submission?  Just contact us at:
 [email protected]  

Contact Us

[email protected]

Join our mailing list today!  One email newsletter a week, every Friday, with everything you need to know about what's happening in Oz.  
Subscribe Now
  • Home
  • Stories
  • Events
  • #LiveMusicLove
  • Wisconsin Theatre News