Tag: hadestown

Hadestown- The Significance of the Workers Chorus

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Specifically, something they do countless times throughout the newly-released Broadway cast album. If you’ve listened to “Chant,” “Epic II,” or any of the other updated versions of the songs from Hadestown, you’ll notice that the Workers Chorus uses a loud /k/ sound mixed in with their lyrics. So what does it really mean when the five-person ensemble does this?

I haven’t been lucky enough to see Hadestown, and probably won’t for a while unless by some lucky chance it goes on tour, but I’ve been brainstorming to figure out the significance of the /k/. There’s a small chance that it doesn’t have any rhyme or reason, but it seems like everything in Hadestown is connected to something else, so there’s got to be something there.

Another point I have to make about this detail is that in the 2016 workshop recording, the sound was pretty much only used in “Chant” and its reprise. Now, I hear it in many of the other songs, especially ones that weren’t on the old recording and were newly released for Broadway. Other things have changed on the album for sure, but there’s a significant reason to the rest of them.

If anyone knows why the workers do what they do so often, please please PLEASE let me know because I’m in love with this musical and I want to know everything! P.S. I’m back! I just finished my two-weekend run of Peter Pan, which was time-consuming, and while I’m sad to see it end, now I can write again!

Hadestown: the Myth. the Musical. (I’m Back!)

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Hey guys! I’m back from my short disappearance. School is out now so I should be back to posting pretty regularly. And while I was away, I got totally obsessed with a show that’s brand new to Broadway, but already has a pretty big fanbase, and for good reason too. That musical, as I’m sure you’ve figured out from the title, is Hadestown! I love every aspect of this musical! I’m new to it still, though, and I’ve only heard the songs that are on the 2016 live workshop album. I want to talk about some of the things that make this show so unique and beautiful!

Score/Orchestrations: WOW! This show has probably the most talented pit I’ve heard in a long time! The rhythms and harmonies are so intricate and interesting, unlike anything I’ve heard before. The best description I have to offer is a mix of Bandstand, The Band’s Visit, and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. The songs range from 30’s and 50’s swing jazz to soft ballads to near-tribal and reminiscent of Middle Eastern traditional music. One specific part of this score I want to point out is the PERCUSSION! It’s astounding! A lot of modern shows have pretty basic drum music, which I notice, being a percussionist myself, but this show is really fun to listen to and seemingly quite challenging in comparison! In one particular song, “Our Lady of the Underground,” each member of the band is introduced to the audience by Persephone, which is also not common in musical theatre.

Cast: Again, wow! I am completely impressed! First of all, the obvious- Patrick Page! The man’s range is incredible! I read that his lowest note as Hades himself is a G1, and for those who don’t know the terminology, that’s almost at the bottom of a standard 88 key piano/keyboard. This note, for those who know this show, occurs multiple times in “Hey, Little Songbird” and also when Hades sings, “sing for an old *man.*” (I also heard C#1, but that’s hard to believe.) Secondly, the actor who plays Orpheus, I believe named Reeve Carney, (again I’m new to the fandom) has the most attractive voice I’ve ever heard. His higher range is just beautiful. No questions asked. Bless your ears by listening to “Epic II”- just trust me. You won’t be disappointed. Amber Gray is a great Persephone, showcased best in “Livin’ It Up On Top” and “Our Lady of The Underground.” Eurydice, who is played by Eva Noblezada on Broadway but I’m not sure if it’s her on the recording, also has the perfect voice for her character.

Couple Chemistry: It’s perfect for the context of the show! Orpheus and Eurydice convey their desperate longing for each other when separated by the walls of Hadestown without even having a visual display. Hades and Persephone also display the complexity of their relationship by their voices alone in such a way that has made me tear up multiple times.

Storyline: Honestly, I’m a little confused still, so if anyone wants to help me out with that, it’d be greatly appreciated… I know it’s the Orpheus myth, but it’s a lot to process when listening to the cast album. I love the industrialist twist on the story, though! It’s such an interesting and eye-opening take on things.

Other Things: *My favorite songs from the show are “Wait For Me” and “Epic II,” followed closely by the finale, “Road to Hell II” and “Chant,” but honestly I love every song in the show so so much. *One thing that sticks out to me a lot is in “Why We Build the Wall,” Hades sounds so controlling. The song creates this complex between an overlord and his subjects that really shows Hades’ personality better than anything else in the show. *The song “Wait For Me II” makes me cry every. Single. Time. And I literally can’t figure out why to save my life. *The Fates are such cool characters! I’m generally a fan of characters who play parts in the story but are also narrators, like these three or Aaron Burr. *AMBER GRAY WOW IF SHE DOESN”T WIN BEST FEATURED ACTRESS I’LL SUE THE TONY AWARDS. *Speaking of Tony Awards, I feel another sweep coming on this year…

So, those are my thoughts on Hadestown! What musical do you want my opinion on next? Let me know! Also, what are your Tony predictions? It’s good to be back with this blog ❤