Please join me, Bacon friends, on a journey to the Underworld this fall. We’ll travel a dark and glittering road to Hadestown, where love goes to die. Where love is lost – and found. While the Fates sing their old, old song.
“Hadestown” opened on Broadway in March of 2019, receiving 14 Tony nominations and winning 7, including “Best Musical”. It’s the best musical I’ve never seen.
The main characters are:
Hermes – narrator, fleet of mind and foot. He intervenes in the story occasionally, yet he never doubts that the Fates are in control (“they was always singin’ in the back of your mind”)
Orpheus – a penniless poet and musician
Eurydice – a girl who knows hunger, and falls in love with him
Hades – god of the Underworld and titan of industry
Persephone, his wife, who leaves Hades each Spring to bring life and joy to the world. Also: she’s a drunk.
What happens when beautiful, desperate Eurydice leaves for Hadestown? And when Orpheus, her beloved, comes to find her? Can either survive? Is there any hope for Hades and Persephone – jaundiced, ill-suited – who are also bound together by time and maybe even love?
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Here’s the opening number, “Road to Hell”. Video quality is not the best on this one but it’s a great place to begin our journey…
“Road To Hell”
(from “Hadestown: The Myth. The Musical. (Original Cast Recording)” soundtrack)
Don’t ask where, brother, don’t ask when
It was a road to hell – no! it was hard times
It was a world of gods and men [Hermes & company:] It’s an old song
It’s an old tale from way back when
It’s an old song
But we’re gonna sing it again [Hermes:] Now on the road to hell there was a railroad line
And there were three old women all dressed the same
And they was always singin’ in the back of your mind
Everybody meet the fates!
Now on the road to hell there was a railroad station
And a man with feathers on his feet
Who would help you to your final destination
Mr. Hermes – that’s me!
It’s a sad tale, it’s a tragedy
It’s a sad song
But we sing it anyway [Hermes:] Now, on the road to hell there was a railroad line
And a lady steppin’ off a train
With a suitcase full of summertime
Persephone, by name
There was a railroad line on the road to hell
There was a young man down on a bended knee
And brother, thus begins the tale
Of Orpheus and Eurydice!
It’s a tale of a love that never dies
It’s a love song
About someone who tries…
So glad art continues to persevere – thanks for sharing this!
One of my obsessions! Such a great version of the story: we know the ending of the story and yet we sing (listen to, tell) it again and and again… because it makes us feel. Thanks for reminding of it this morning!
A provocative way to start a Wednesday morning! Have always been fascinated with this story and it’s many dichotomies.
Jennifer, thank you for sharing a litle piece of New York. I so miss that city and its many small and hidden delights. You brighten so many of my days, I hope you know how much many of us look so forward to Bacon.
first song, first line, first hum = hooked.