Head on down to “Hadestown”

“It’s an old tale from way back when.” A story about a young girl—Eurydice—cold, hungry and looking for a better life. And along the way she encounters a young man—Orphes—a song writer who vows to be the man who marries her.
The story of Eurydice and Orpheus is told in the musical, “Hadestown,” set to take the stage this weekend in the Coal City Performing Arts Center.
“It’s a tale of love that never dies, it’s a love song, about someone who tries.”
The Coal City Theatre Department will bring the teen edition of the Tony Award winning musical to the stage this for three performances.
When rights to produce the musical were released in the spring, Coal City Theatre Department director Jack Micetich put in a request and when the license was granted he shared the news with the students in his program by calling on an original Broadway cast member to make the announcement.
Patrick Page, who appeared on Broadway as Hades, shared that the Coal City Theatre Department’s first summer musical production would be Hadestown, however the excitement of the students overtook the deep voiced actor’s news.
“The excitement in the space that day has carried through. We’ve had a great time building this show and it’s brought out students and alumni coming together and we’re excited to share the tale with audiences,” Micetich said.
“Hadestown,” by Anais Mitchell, is a sung through musical based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. These characters are being played by 2024 graduates Stephen Byers, Jr. and Elaina Patten. The two were most recently seen in the spring production of “Mary Poppins.”
The tale is told by Hermes, being played by Derek Carlson, a 2023 graduate who is now studying musical theatre at Illinois State University.
Taking on the role of Hades—King of the Underworld—is Mason Hamilton, a junior at Coal City High School, and the Lady of the Underworld—Persephone—is played by Adaline Dowling, a 2024 graduate.
Persephone brings a uniqueness to the story as the Goddess of the Seasons, a role that contrasts, yet blends with Hades.
It is a tale of intertwining love stories—Orpheus and Eurydice and Persephone and Hades. And it’s a tale of Hades luring Eurydice underground and the man who comes to bring her back to the world they knew.
Helping to tell the tale are the Fates, five individuals who serve as the conscience of the characters they surround. The roles are held by students Melody Kinder, Mason Natyshok, Bella Byers, Oliva Sage and Jared Counterman, a recent graduate.
Completing the cast are a mix of current students and alumni. Those cast members are: Amelia Fritz, Anastasia Papach, Aubrey Grunwald, Austin Harding, Brody D’Orazio, Cora Armstrong, Dane Noffsigner, Ethan Donnelly, Evelyn Wills, Gavin Clubb, Gianna Carver, Isabella Bartholomew, Jordan Olson, Kilen Davidson, Lexi Dearth, Sammy Thackeray, Theo Fritz and Wyatt Chase.
The Coal City production is inspired by the sights and sounds of New Orleans.
It was a small theatre in New Orleans that sparked Micetich’s venture into producing and directing.
“It really has come full circle and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of individuals,” the director said.
“Hadestown,” will be presented Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available in advance at bit.ly/CCTDTickets or at the door beginning one hour prior to each scheduled performance, on-site sales are cash only.
“We invite everyone to join us underground in Hadestown,” Carlson said.