Review: HADESTOWN TEEN EDITION at DreamWrights

DreamWrights collaborated with Weary Arts Group to co-produce Hadestown Teen Edition from June 5th to 14th under the co-direction of Charissa Moye and Ashley Shaw.  Students from all over central Pennsylvania have been spending the past several weeks working on bringing the Tony Award winning musical to the stage at York College of Pennsylvania.  Hadestown’s book, music and lyrics was by AnÏs Mitchell, and the musical premiered on Broadway in 2019.

The narrator, the greek god Hermes, was portrayed by Elijah Barlett.  His strong vocals and charisma gets everyone's attention and introduces the sad tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice with all the drama of a circus ringmaster.  In addition to acting and singing, Jacob Cunningham, played the guitar as well for his performance of Orpheus.  Caitlin Shorey portrayed the pain and hope of Eurydice with beautiful vocals, and she even handled a microphone issue with seamless ease of a professional.  Deaglan Benson played the villain in this story, Hades, and his stoic and cold performance contrasted with Riley Fidler’s fun and warm performance of Persephone.   

The Poppy Red Cast performing on June 5th, 7th, and 13th includes Jacob Cunningham (Orpheus), Caitlin Shorey (Eurydice), Deaglan Benson (Hades), Cole Hutchison (Hades Swing), Riley Fidler (Persephone), Elijah Barlett (Hermes), Clara Kisielnicki (Fate 1), Kayla Gorman (Fate 2), Trinity Walrath (Fate 3), Michael Le (Swing), and Rosie Campbell (Swing).

The Lilly White Cast performing on June 6th, 12th, and 14th includes Ray Baer (Orpheus), Joy Ellis (Eurydice), Adam Coe (Hades), Cole Hutchison (Hades Swing), Ash Aguayo (Persephone), Moses Banks (Hermes), Greta Kanagy (Fate 1), Rion Nogel (Fate 2), Olivia Wang (Fate 3), Michael Le (Swing), and Rosie Campbell (Swing).

The Ensemble includes Janae Anderson, Anthony Blancas, Evan Brooks, Rosie Campbell, Adrian Chavez, Maxin Cowger, Elena Deguchi, Lorelei Drinkut, Emma Fochtman, Alayra Garcia-Rivera, Marlowe Given, Anna Hennessy, Jaxson Hess, Aurora Hicks, Giselle Holzel, Cole Hutchison, Daniel Jones, Hannah Keilholtz, Addie Kuntz, Kara Krickler, Michael Le, Lilyanna Martin, Nolan Matseur, Cooper May, Claire McNally, Kevin Roque, Alexander Rowan, Brie Sidey, Grace Stover, Jayda Saul, Kali Thomas, Azalea Valentine, Savannah Warner, Kai Wolf, Evelyn Yabut, and Max Zuna.  The Dance team includes Ash Aguayo, Moses Banks, Anthony Blancas, Adrian Chavez, Emma Fochtman, Alayra Garcia-Rivera, Marlowe Given, Jaxson Hess, Claire McNally, Grace Stover, Kali Thomas, and Max Zuna.

The scenic designers, Cal Weary and Charissa Moye, created an amazing set complete with a unique merry-go-round moving component that Hadestown fans will be thrilled to see.  The physical work of moving the piece fit well with the industrial style of the choreography.  The choreographer, Gabe Casey, had a large ensemble to work with and a lot of space to fill.  Your eye was moving around catching actors doing different movements.  Karyn Sherwood costumes followed the industrial theme and were true to the iconic look of Hadestown.