Award-winning ‘Hadestown’ visits Capital Region

Capital Region audiences are being transported way down to “Hadestown” as the genredefying new musical continues through Sunday at Proctors.

Blending modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine an ancient Greek tragedy, “Hadestown” is the most honored show of the 2018-2019 Broadway season, winning eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

The North American touring production of “Hadestown” stars Nathan Lee Graham as Hermes, Chibueze Ihuoma as Orpheus, Maria-Christina Oliveras as Persephone, Matthew Patrick Quinn as Hades, and Hannah Whitley as Eurydice.

Each of these characters has had shining moments on the Proctors stage this week, and together with The Fates and The Workers, the cast is bringing showgoers on an unforgettable emotional ride.

Though it is — with full warning in its opening number — a sad tale, the “Hadestown” producers describe the show as a beautiful story of hope, faith and rebirth.

Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of

King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hellraising journey to the underworld and back.

Attendees need no expertise in Greek mythology to enjoy and understand the long-told tale. Viewers will quickly find themselves invested in the characters, undoubtedly rooting for the romance between Orpheus and Eurydice and wishing for spring to return again.

At a run time of more than two hours, the musical is captivating and entertaining. Along with its spectacular vocals, choreography and set design, the show has the added bonus of having its talented orchestra musicians featured on stage too.

Highlights from the “Hadestown” soundtrack include the opening song “Road to Hell” starring narrator Hermes, the jazzy “Way Down Hadestown,” an outstanding number by Persephone titled “Our

Lady of the Underground,” the dramatic “Wait For Me” and, of course, Orpheus’ “Epic” that wins over the king of the underworld.

As audience members leave the theater, they will certainly agree that “Hadestown” is a story worth telling, again and again.

“Hadestown” continues at Proctors in Schenectady through Sunday, March 5.

Tickets and schedule information are available online at proctors.org or by calling (518) 346-6204.