‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ Turns Up the Heat in Hale Theater

The power of love, the power of song, and, yes, the frailty of human nature were all on vivid display during the Upper School’s recent production of Hadestown: Teen Edition. 

The musical, a modern take on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, opened Nov. 20 in the CFA’s Hale Theater just before Thanksgiving Break. Performances featured inspired singing, creative set design, and soulful — and, at times, wonderfully eerie — lighting. Four dozen student actors took part in the shows with nearly as many students working behind the scenes, all under the guidance of Upper School Theater Director Kelly Hines P ’18, ’19. Songs included “Road to Hell,” “Way Down Hadestown,” “Hey, Little Songbird,” “Doubt Comes In,” and “We Raise our Cups.” 

In her director’s note, Hines wrote that Hadestown: Teen Edition — whose original version earned eight Tony awards in 2019 — is powerful precisely because it tells a tragic story in a joyful way. The musical, she said, is a collaborative work of art showcasing the importance of hope, empathy, and compassion. 

“To sing an old song, tell a story that we know will end in tragedy, and perform it with hopeful hearts is an act of profound courage,” Hines wrote. 

View more photos from the performance here.