Durango High School Troupe 1096 is about to take you on an epic journey with its upcoming production of “Hadestown Teen Edition.”
If you go
WHAT: Durango High School Troupe 1096 presents “Hadestown Teen Edition,” by Anaïs Mitchell.
WHEN: 7 p.m. April 10, 11, 17, 18 and 19; and 2 p.m. April 19.
WHERE: Durango High School, 2390 Main Ave.
TICKETS: $15, available at https://troupe1096.weebly.com.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit https://troupe1096.weebly.com.
The show by Anaïs Mitchell, which is still playing on Broadway, is “an old tale from way back when that has been told, retold, and told again in the hope that maybe this time, things will be different,” according to Jenny Fitts Reynolds’ director’s note. “At its heart, this musical explores love, loss, fate and the power of storytelling. It is grounded in the love story of Orpheus (senior Bella Lucero) and Eurydice (junior Gillian Reynolds), but also digs into the tale of Hades (senior Donovan Dolton) and Persephone (senior Ava Allen) and what happens when love falters and the world suffers in its wake.”
The story is narrated by Hermes (Noah Oury), and, according to the notes, “the industrial world is overtaking the myth. Hell is no longer just the underworld – it is a machine, relentless and consuming, and in it, the stories that once shaped gods and mortals alike are beginning to crumble. As Orpheus sings, Hades and Persephone have ‘forgotten the song of their love.’ Without it, our world grows colder and harsher as the realm of Hades grows more mechanical, reflecting the distance between the two gods.”
‘Hadestown’ cast
Persephone: Ava Allen
Orpheus: Bella Lucero
Eurydice: Gillian Reynolds
Hermes: Noah Oury
Hades: Donovan Dolton
Fates: Angel Safari, Tiana Batiste and Sopfia Gutierrez
Ensemble: Zada Lile, Dani Concelman, Talya O’Neil, Nathan Greer, Violet McFarlane, Valentine Kuntz, Quinn Payne, Avery Edgar, Giada Gierhart, Rhen Bard and Luci Rodriguez.
“It’s a very political show, actually,” Gillian Reynolds said. “I think it’s a very hidden message, but it has a lot about poverty, and lots of messages about love and relationships, and selfishness versus selflessness, and I think it’s a very modern thing.”
Of particular note for this production is the inclusion of a live orchestra pit, something the troupe hasn’t had since the COVID-19 pandemic. The musicians set the tone for the show, which features New Orleans jazz and old American folk music. And while this is not a review of the show, the talent of the musicians in the pit combined with the strong singing from the cast, send the troupe – and its graduating seniors – out on a high note for the year.
Rare for a show still being performed on Broadway, high schools were given the opportunity to secure licensing rights to stage their own productions, said Director Ben Mattson. And while this is a unique chance for students, it presents its own set of challenges, Dolton said.
“All across the nation, high schools are doing ‘Hadestown Teen Edition.’ The challenge I feel like, especially with Hades, (is) not only living up to an expectation, but also differing myself a little bit from what people may expect,” he said. “I don’t want them to come in expecting what they may have seen on Broadway or at other kids’ schools. What I’m bringing I feel like is very unique. I sat down with my directors a lot and meticulously went through the script, underlined, highlighted phrases, and just psychoanalyzed a lot of his intentions, his meaning, his motivation – it’s wonderfully complex and almost mad.”
And for Dolton, who graduates at the end of this year, getting the part of Hades has been a longtime dream.
“I remember when I was a kid, sixth, seventh grade, when ‘Hadestown’ came on Broadway, and I saw the promotional videos for it, and I was like, ‘What I’d give to have the opportunity to play Hades the character,” he said. “And last year, as a junior, I heard that we were doing ‘Hadestown Teen Edition,’ and I was like, ‘OK, Donovan, you have to (get the part).’ And when I did, I was smiling ear to ear for like a week. I couldn’t have picked a better role to end it with.”
It’s the character development that has proved challenging to some cast members, they said at a rehearsal for the show Wednesday night at DHS, but that’s part of the fun.
“It’s a dream show, honestly,” Reynolds, who plays Eurydice, said. “I have a really hard time connecting with this character. It’s very away from the characters I’ve normally played in the past. Recently, we did ‘Mean Girls’ here and I was Karen Smith – she’s a very happy character. And Eurydice’s sort of is the exact opposite. I’ve had a hard time connecting with it – I’m getting there.”
Portraying the characters is something Lucero, who plays Orpheus, agrees has been a learning experience: “Some of the challenges is definitely portraying Orpheus and his passion. He’s a very passionate character and he knows what he wants, and I think portraying that has been difficult.”
The technical crews have also done a stellar job on “Hadestown”: Keep an eye out for the multiple uses for the simple pieces of scenery, especially the piece that helps actors mimic long walks.
“As Orpheus and Eurydice hope their love can guide them through a frigid, stormy world without Persephone’s gifts, the Fates (Angel Safari, Tiana Batiste and Sopfia Gutierrez) loom ever-present, guiding and manipulating. This leaves us to wonder whether Orpheus and Eurydice ever had a chance at all,’ the notes say. “Is there room for free will in a world shaped by gods and destiny? Or is our greatest act of defiance the belief that we can change the outcome of a story we already know too well?”
A word to the wise for audience members: Bring your hankies, because this one hits pretty hard.
“It’s a beautiful story that surrounds real topics that not a lot of shows necessarily broach,” Allen said. “It’s a heartfelt show that’s just amazing.”
katie@durangoherald.com
