Broadway at the Marcus Center presents: HADESTOWN

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.