Hadestown

Hadestown is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell. It tells a version of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and
Eurydice. Eurydice, a young girl looking for something to eat, goes to work in a hellish industrial underworld to escape climate-change
induced poverty before her poor singer-songwriter lover Orpheus comes to rescue her, and together they show others the way to escape.
The original version of the musical premiered in the town of Barre, Vermont, in 2006. There was also a production in Vergennes in the same
year and a tour between Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007. Then Mitchell, unsure about the future of the musical, turned it into a concept
album, released in 2010.
In 2012, Mitchell met director Rachel Chavkin, and the two started to rework the stage production, with additional songs and dialogue. The
new version of the musical, developed for the stage and directed by Chavkin, premiered Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop on
May 6, 2016, and ran through July 31. Following productions in Edmonton and London, the show premiered in previews on Broadway in
March 2019.
The Broadway production opened to critical acclaim and received numerous awards and nominations. At the 73rd Tony
Awards, Hadestown received 14 nominations (the most for the evening) and won eight of them, including Best Musical and Best Original
Score.

Synopsis
Act I
The story begins with the Greek god Hermes introducing the characters ("Road to Hell"). This is followed by Eurydice and
the Fates describing the harsh weather and famine of the setting ("Any Way the Wind Blows"). Orpheus, Hermes's ward, introduces himself
to Eurydice and asks her to marry him ("Come Home With Me"). Eurydice is doubtful as they both live in poverty. Orpheus tells her that he
is writing a song to make spring come again, and they will no longer have to struggle ("Wedding Song").
Orpheus sings the story of Hades and Persephone ("Epic I"). Persephone arrives in the world above and celebrates summertime ("Livin' it Up
on Top"), while Eurydice begins to truly fall in love with Orpheus ("All I've Ever Known"). Hades comes early to collect Persephone, and
she voices her misery of having to return to Hadestown, Hades's underground factory. Despite hearing about the never-ending labor endured
by the factory workers, Eurydice is intrigued by the rich praises sung by the Fates as well as the promise of protection that Hadestown offers
("Way Down Hadestown"). The cold weather returns and Eurydice searches for food and firewood, urging Orpheus to finish his song ("A
Gathering Storm"). Orpheus continues working on his song ("Epic II"), while Persephone and Hades argue ("Chant").
Hades leaves Hadestown to find someone who will appreciate its safety and security. He comes across a desperate Eurydice and invites her to
come to Hadestown ("Hey, Little Songbird"). The Fates appear and urge Eurydice to join him ("When the Chips are Down"). With the cold
surging on and an empty stomach, Eurydice sees no other choice except to follow Hades. She sings her goodbyes to Orpheus before heading
to Hadestown as The Fates chastise the audience for judging her for choosing self-interest over love ("Gone, I'm Gone"). Orpheus discovers
Eurydice's disappearance, and decides to rescue her from Hadestown. He sets off on his journey using Hermes's instructions on how to get to
Hadestown without the use of the train ("Wait for Me"). Eurydice arrives in Hadestown and signs the contract, officially becoming a worker
("Why We Build the Wall").

Act II
In an entr'acte, Persephone serves the workers in a speakeasy that she runs behind Hades's back ("Our Lady of the Underground"). Eurydice
begins to realize the consequences of her choice to go to Hadestown: she will soon become a forgotten laborer and can never leave unless
Hades consents to let her go ("Way Down Hadestown (Reprise)"). She sings of her regrets as her memories of the world above slowly begin
to fade ("Flowers").
Orpheus arrives in Hadestown and promises Eurydice that he will take her home with him ("Come Home with Me (Reprise)"). Hades
appears and reveals to him that Eurydice willingly signed the contract, which Eurydice regretfully confirms ("Papers"). Hades orders the
workers to attack Orpheus and the Fates tell him to give up hope ("Nothing Changes"). Orpheus vows to find a way to free Eurydice, rallying
up the workers and catching Persephone's attention in the process ("If It's True").
Persephone is inspired by Orpheus's determination and pleads with Hades to let Eurydice go ("How Long?"). While the workers begin to
truly question the freedom they were promised, Hades bitterly offers Orpheus a chance to sing his completed song, threatening to kill him
afterwards ("Chant (Reprise)"). Orpheus sings his song, reminding Hades of his love for Persephone ("Epic III"). Hades and Persephone
reconcile, after which Orpheus and Eurydice promise to stay together no matter how hard ("Promises"). Orpheus asks Hades if they may
leave, and Hades tells him that he has not reached a decision. The Fates taunt Hades for his dilemma: If he kills Orpheus and keeps Eurydice
captive, they become martyrs, but if he lets them go, he loses control over his workers as they have begun to agitate for their freedom ("Word
to the Wise"). Hades decides to let Orpheus and Eurydice go on one condition: Orpheus must lead them out. If he turns around to confirm
that Eurydice is following him, she will return to Hadestown and remain there forever ("His Kiss, the Riot").
Hermes explains the condition to Orpheus and Eurydice, and they begin heading out with the workers looking to them for hope. Persephone
and Hades decide to give their relationship another chance ("Wait for Me (Reprise)"). Orpheus makes it up to the end, where he is overcome
by doubt and turns around, condemning Eurydice to return to Hadestown ("Doubt Comes In"). Hermes reflects on the somber tale and why it
must be told, saying "That spring had come again, with a love song" ("Road to Hell (Reprise)"). After the bows at curtain call, the cast raises
a cup to honor Orpheus ("We Raise Our Cups").

Source : https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Hadestown