I recently had the chance to see “Hadestown” on the big screen, and wow! This isn’t a brand new adaptation, but a filmed version of the incredibly popular West End production – and it’s fantastic. The story, based on Greek myths and set to a folk score, actually started taking shape back in 2006 with singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell. It finally hit Broadway and became a Tony-winning sensation in 2019, and now, six years later, we get to experience that same magic, thankfully with the original cast – André De Shields, Patrick Page, Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, and Amber Gray – all reprising their roles. It was filmed in 2025 and it truly captures the energy of the stage show.
Mitchell’s work feels relevant across generations, largely because it draws on classic Greek myths like those of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, and Persephone. The story, developed with director Rachel Chavkin (known for her Broadway work), is set in the American South during the 1930s. It explores universal themes—love, sacrifice, hardship, addiction, and loyalty—and contrasts the painful realities of life with the possibility of a better future.
Mitchell’s songs sometimes feel surprisingly predictive. In ‘Hadestown,’ the villain, Hades, leads an underworld that functions like a harsh factory town, and his big number in Act I is called “Why We Build the Wall.” The workers chant “We build the wall to keep us free,” which echoes similar language used during the 2016 election and highlights how leaders have historically used division to maintain power.
As a total movie and stage fanatic, I was immediately drawn into “Hadestown.” It’s fundamentally a beautiful love story, and the setting is incredible – this lively, vibrant juke joint with the band right there on stage. The show opens with Hermes, played by the amazing André De Shields – a true legend of the American theater – and the camera follows him as he greets everyone, playfully kissing his fellow performers as he takes his place. It just sets the mood perfectly!
Entertainment & Arts
The critically acclaimed musical “Hadestown,” created by Anaïs Mitchell and based on the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, is now playing in Los Angeles. The show features Levi Kreis, a Tony Award winner, in the role of Hermes.
The show truly begins when 79-year-old De Shields dramatically opens his jacket, earning a loud cheer from the crowd. He then introduces Orpheus (played by Carney), describing him as blessed by the gods and naturally inclined to long for something more, especially expressed through his singing. When Eurydice (Noblezada), a spirited and somewhat doubtful young woman, arrives, Orpheus immediately falls in love. They have little else, and their connection is represented by a single red flower he gives her.
Persephone, a lively and carefree spirit, brings joy to the summer months. However, her husband, Hades, becomes possessive and wants her to stay with him in the underworld, causing winter to grip the world. Determined to restore spring, Orpheus sets out to write a song powerful enough to bring it back. Meanwhile, Eurydice, facing hardship, is tempted by Hades’ offer of safety and a life in his industrial city, Hadestown, where she becomes a worker. Orpheus bravely ventures into Hadestown to rescue Eurydice, but on their journey back to the world of the living, his trust is challenged. He must lead the way without looking back, or he risks losing Eurydice forever to the depths of Hadestown.
Carney and Noblezada, who are married in real life, first met at Noblezada’s audition. Their genuine connection heightens the emotional impact of this tragic story – audiences report that every lead actor visibly cries during the performance. Carney’s voice is incredibly versatile, reminiscent of both Jeff Buckley and Freddie Mercury, and his experience as a rock musician – particularly his guitar skills – is essential for portraying Orpheus and complements the folk-inspired nature of Mitchell’s music.
Cinematographer Clayton Jacobsen films the performance from unique perspectives – angles you wouldn’t normally see, even from good seats. He uses shots from below the stage and above, and even moves the camera over the audience for close-up views. Director Sullivan cleverly incorporates the energetic and lively crowd into the filmed experience, culminating in a long curtain call where De Shields shares a heartfelt toast with the audience, leaving them with the same warmth they felt at the beginning.
As a lifelong movie and theatre fan, what always gets me about live performance is how it exists right now, a unique experience shared by everyone in the room. This production really captured that feeling – it felt like a special, one-time gathering of people who clearly love working together, revisiting a familiar story. There’s a line delivered by Hermes – “It’s a sad song, but we sing it anyway” – and honestly, it really resonated with me. It’s a beautiful reminder that even with all the hardship, there’s always hope and renewal, like summer always comes back around.
2026-07-24 23:31