The spring term at our school is well underway, and the campus is bustling with springtime activities like track, tennis, and soccer. The most exciting event of all, however, is the upcoming spring musical: Hadestown!

On March 19, 20, and 21, high school students will showcase their talents in the musical inspired by the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, combined with the myth of Hades and Persephone. These two classic tales told through a modern lens explore timeless themes such as love, loss, and the power of art and hope.

The naive, artistic songwriter Orpheus falls in love with the more pragmatic, runaway Eurydice, but due to poverty she sells her soul to Hades for security, which leads Orpheus on a journey to the underworld to rescue her.

Encouraged by Persephone and Hermes, Orpheus sings beautiful love songs and charms his way through the underworld, but will he be able to rescue his love? You’ll have to see the musical to find out!

Though the musical’s story comes from Greek mythology, it is set in a post-apocalyptic, depression era United States. With music inspired by jazz, folk, and gospel musical traditions and over thirty-three musical numbers!

Hadestown made its Broadway debut on April 17, 2019, and is considered a difficult musical to recreate due to its complex themes, music, and stage design; however, Marist theater director Eric McNaughton is up to the challenge. “The only way to approach that challenge is with a lot of rehearsal and an outstanding crowd of students who were willing to put in the work,” McNaughton said.

In fact, the theater department even built a turntable stage to recreate the choreography of Hadestown! 

All cast, crew, and musicians have been hard at work putting this mythological musical to the stage, and Mr. McNaughton believes everyone should go see it because.

“It reminds us of the beauty of possibility, and that art has the power to heal the world,” McNaughton mused.