The haunting melodies of hope and the heavy rhythm of industry take center stage as Darlington’s fine arts department and The Darlington Players present the Tony Award-winning musical "Hadestown." Written by Anaïs Mitchell, this acclaimed reimagining of ancient Greek mythology will come to life Feb. 20-22 downtown at the Historic Rome City Auditorium. Showtimes are 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
This vibrant production intertwines two mythic love stories—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone—to probe timeless questions about faith, labor, and the power of song. In this world, the seasons are out of joint and the gap between those who have and those who have not grows ever wider. As Orpheus seeks to bring his love back from the industrial underworld of Hadestown, the audience is taken on a journey that challenges the absolute certainty of power and asks what it means to keep singing even when the world is cold.
"The cast and crew are excited to showcase such a contemporary and influential musical for our community," said Theater Director Shelley Daniel. "At its heart, 'Hadestown' is a story about the personal cost of striving for a world that could be and the collective strength found in hope. We are exploring the tension between the harsh, industrial reality of Hadestown and the fragile, beautiful dreams of those who dare to look up. It’s a powerful, dark, and provocative show that leaves the audience with more questions than answers. It’s a tragedy you won't want to miss."
This production features a talented cast and crew of Upper School students, showcasing their skills in acting, vocal performance, dance, technical theater, and teamwork. The storytelling is led by a powerful ensemble of characters, including Alexis Origbe as Hermes, the silver-tongued messenger god and narrator who guides the audience through the rhythm of the tale; Harrison Inman as Orpheus, a dreamer and musician who believes his song can fix the world; Kensie Waller as Eurydice, a resilient young woman searching for stability in a hungry world; Cooper Laliberte as Hades, the king of the underworld whose need for control creates a wall between him and his love; and Temira Bolds as Persephone, the goddess of spring who struggles to bridge the gap between two worlds. They are joined by Ava Ann Woods, Caroline Sawhill, and Annika Kuo as the three Fates, the inescapable voices of doubt who control the destinies of gods and mortals alike.
A dynamic Worker Chorus provides the rhythmic heartbeat of the underworld, featuring Abby Kate Jackson, Davis Pewitt, Alex Childers, Girmante Zolubaite, Alisa Huang, Jacey Ward, Leila Lim, Jesse Meredith, Han Nguyen, Jane Wei, Jordan Dillard, and Brynn Lofties. The technical execution and behind-the-scenes operations are led by Company Manager Reese Bell, Stage Manager Meghan Pinkley, and Costume Manager Sarah Katherine McQueen, heading assistant managers and an extensive student crew that oversee the show's complex production needs.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness "Hadestown," an intense and timeless show that examines the questions: “How do we hold onto hope in a world that feels broken?” “What happens when the pursuit of security costs us our humanity?” and “Can a song really change the world?” The path taken here is a shattering and beautiful lesson for our times.
Reserve tickets to the show of your choosing by clicking the links below:
Friday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m.
Current Darlington families should check the Announcements page for more information regarding a discount code.
Cast:
Hades - Cooper Laliberte
Persephone - Temira Bolds
Orpheus - Harrison Inman
Eurydice - Kensie Waller
Hermes - Alexis Origbe
Fate 1 - Ava Ann Woods
Fate 2 - Caroline Sawhill
Fate 3 - Annika Kuo
Worker Chorus - Abby Kate Jackson
Worker Chorus - Davis Pewitt
Worker Chorus - Alex Childers
Worker Chorus - Girmante Zolubaite
Worker Chorus - Alisa Huang
Worker Chorus - Jacey Ward
Worker Chorus - Leila Lim
Worker Chorus - Jesse Meredith
Worker Chorus - Han Nguyen
Worker Chorus - Jane Wei
Worker Chorus - Jordan Dillard
Worker Chorus - Brynn Lofties
Crew:
Company Manager - Reese Bell
Stage Manager - Megan Pinkley
Costume Manager - Sarah Katherine McQueen
Assistant Stage Manager - Millie Cross
Assistant Costume Manager - Ella Peer
Props Manager - Callie Eady
Crew - Makayla Edorhe
Crew - Yimika Bunmi-Adedayo
Crew - Cani Ware
Crew - Mary Nguyen
Crew - Clara Holter
Crew - Jasmine Graham
Crew - Armani Utah
Crew - Veronika Rohde
Set Construction:
Luca Bocus
Nicolas Brust
Yimika Bunmi-Adedayo
Clara Leigh Davis
Daniella Ezeike
Gracie Hamilton
Phineas Pollard
Jesse Price
Lauren Saye
