let's discuss the HADESTOWN west end cast | my thoughts after the musical's London press launch
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
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OHMYGOD HEY!
Last week I was invited to Jack Solomons Club in London to see exclusive performanes from award winning composer Anais Mitchell and the newly announced West End cast of the musical HADESTOWN.
The show, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Musical, will open in February 2024 at the Lyric Theatre in London and will star Donal Finn, Grace Hodgett Young, Zachary James, Gloria Onitiri, Melanie La Barrie, and more.
Check out today's brand new video for a sneak peek of those performances (coming soon in full for channel members!) and my thoughts on this exciting cast...
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00:00 | introduction
02:33 | what is Hadestown?
05:22 | who is in the West End cast?
15:57 | other London details
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#musical #hadestown #theatre 
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I imagine the pressure for a second musical from Mitchell would be big because Hadestown is such a "life's work" kind of show, the culmination of all her youth experiences, politics, influences, the music scene of Vermont. It didn't come from Broadway at all and grew over a decade before properly premiering. It's an impossible circumstance to recreate but the bar will be there for some people. I do love her music outside of Hadestown though so that's one part I'll always be happy to hear on the theatre stage or a concert stage.
I LOVE that they're using their own accents that's so interesting. We kinda did get the southern twang with DeShields but it'll be so interesting to see it throughout the cast.
My jaw DROPPED when I saw that it was Dónal Finn who yes, took over the role of Mat in Prime's Wheel of Time series. He can siiiiiing! :D
I love that the role of Hades is a baritone/bass role that can be done in either octave without losing its deep sound. I wish there were more roles for basses and low baritones since so many musicals now seem to favour high belting tenors
So Donal had the immense task in Wheel of Time, of taking over from a well liked actor after an entire season. He's playing Mat PERFECTLY so far. I'm a book fan, and Donal just....gets the tone bang on. I love him. He's quite easy on the eye too, if I may objectify him slightly.
I think you mean Wheal of thyme, because that show is not the wheel of time.
Love hearing about actors with disabilities getting the chance to shine. Gives me hope as an actress with autism spectrum disorder,cerebral palsy and a vision impairment. Another great review MickeyJo.❤
Hadestown is more than 10 years in the making! Iirc, Anais did the first version in 2006/2007, which... is a long time ago 😅
I was in a community pantomime with Donal Finn that my mam was directing 😂😂 No idea he went on to stage and screen! Major blast from the past, delighted for him
I love how you are such a fan of the performers across performances and really give them their kudos. This cast is very exciting! I'm always intrigued when there's a new cast for Hadestown, just to see the different actor dynamics.
This looks amazing! I am always a big fan of native accents being used in theatre, they add so much more colour and authenticity. Also wonderful to see an actor with a disability. Last year I saw Macbeth at the Leeds Playhouse featuring deaf actors Adam Bassett and Charlotte Arrowsmith as McDuff and wife. The signing throughout worked so naturally in the show that it really was just another storytelling element. Plus it created opportunity for extra comedy - McDuff's hilarious charade-like signing of drunken michief - and gut-wrenching tragedy as Lennox fought to force himself to translate tragic news into BSL for McDuff. Casting disabled actors doesn't limit productions, it creates more opportunities!
Oh - i didnt notice there was disability rep in this cast
@@wildoranges That's awesome! Who did they play? It was a while ago but I remember the show so vividly!
@@clockworklayton6330 they were one of the three witches! :) the same production is actually returning for march '24.
Just sharing as someone might be interested: Zachary James posted his versions of why we build the wall and hey little songbird on his youtube channel about a month ago (what a tease xD) - its AMAZING. Gloria, Melanie and him will be truly gods on that stage
I was waiting for this. I only know Gloria Onitiri's name from the past London performance so idk these people but I'm excited. Also, TRINI HERMES??? OMG??? MY KIN??
Edit: Speaking of Gloria Onitiri, I think it speaks volumes that performers love coming back to this show so much. Just off the top of my head, Jewelle Blackman and Audrey Ochoa (the first touring trombonist) were both in the Edmonton cast and many members of the band have been there since 2016, if not even earlier. I love it.
I can't wait to see this! Tickets booked. I've only recently become obsessed with the show after seeing Eva Noblezada's iconic final performances... how sad to be so late to the game!
You forgot to say about how Melanie La Barrie was Morrible in Wicked. The command she had during “that wicked witch” speech blew me away. She is also the loveliest human as met her a few times 🫶🏻🫶🏻
YESS!!! My thoughts exactly! She was incredible, my fave horrible to date
I saw Hadestown on Broadway a couple of years ago, it's fantastic! If this forthcoming London production is anything like the Broadway production, then you should RUN & buy tickets!
Also: WAYLON JACOBS as Hermescover. Couldnt be more excited, for both him and Melanie. Im already deeply in love with Melanies interpretation and cant wait to see where her performance ends up - but having seen Waylon in hamilton twice and adoring his stage commanding, quirky, fleshed out laf/jef performance, i couldnt imagine anyone better to get to cover Hermes. Im sure his interpretation will be hugely different, but as amazing as Melanie’s. Also i love the genderdiversity just in Hermes casting with melanie, Waylon and Allie.
I saw the original run at the National: when I saw it was returning I didn’t see that I’d need to return.
Can safely say that has been blown out of the water by this cast announcement! 🎉
Also - hadestown has changed and improved immensely since the national run
I’m only familiar with Donal Finn as Matt in the Wheel of Time season 2 - BUT I heard his singing as Orpheus on youtube and I am blown away! He may be the best Orpheus for me, but I want to see him live. Hope I could see this Hadestown UK cast before they get replaced.
excited to see what you think of it!
Next to Normal on a 6 week run in the Wyndham in June. No cast announced.
I wish I could get over to see Zachary James. I’ve seen him several times in roles with Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa. He is a phenomenal performer.
“Oh my God Hadestown” love it, I’m off to the show on September 4th! Excited!
Enjoy, hope you have a great time!
@@MickeyJoTheatre thank you!
dónal was also in the pre-broadway run of sing street in boston last year!
i mean "pre-broadway" because who knows whats happening with that show (fingers crossed tho bc i love the movie)
I saw J Antonio Rodriguez as Orpheus in the US tour recently and he was using his own accent as well. I think thats great.
oooh I recognize Dónal Finn from BBC series SAS Rogue Heroes!
Lol “deeply excited” about Hades 😆
He is awesome as Mat Cauthon in the Wheel of Time in season 2 - stepping into the shoes of Barney Harris which was no easy task. Now he is Mat for most of us die hard fans of the books (we won’t mention the few saddos who can’t deal with the changes) and we look forward to watching him perform Mat’s massive arc in the many seasons to come.
If the set is more similar to the US tour staging, that is kind of disappointing to be honest, because I have seen slime tutorials of that set, and the finale is NOWHERE near as effective without the descending central section of the stage, that "lift" as it were in the middle just contributes so much to that climax to Doubt Comes In, but in the US tour it's more of a box at the back (where at the WKT the drummer sits) that swallows Eurydice up with a kind of "garage door", which truth be told left me feeling a little cold, and took away from the drama and tragedy of that moment a little.
I kept trying to see if the Lyric had a descending stage needed when it was first announced there but I was pretty sure it hadn’t
I'm on the exact same page - I'll be disappointed if they have to use the tour style of staging, it just doesn't have quite the same impact
I’ve seen both too and it completely lacks the impact of the Kerr staging and the kick in the stomach that the audience gets
Very excited about Allie Daniel. Totally agree that she stole the show in How To Succeed at Southwark Playhouse.
And the wonderful Gloria Onitiri who I've worked with before and is so ultra dedicated to looking after her voice which truly is an amazing instrument.
Let's not forget Melanie La Barrie also played Madam Morrible in Wicked!! 😀
I'm sad that Reeve left Hades town just yesterday, always loved him as Orpheus
If I had a nickel for every time the romantic lead of a terrible musical I saw twice on Broadway ended up as Orpheus in Hadestown, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice.
(The new Orpheus, Jordan Fisher, played Prince Sebastian in Bad Cinderella. And yes I saw Spider-Man the Musical AND Bad Cinderella twice each.)
@@bigjedimullet - Jordan Fisher portrayed Anthony Hope in “Sweeney Todd”. He was not in the train wreck that is “Bad Cinderella”.
@@ChienaAvtzon fml you’re right! I would like to apologize sincerely to both Jordans (Dobson, who WAS in BC, and Fisher, who was not). But in my defense, they are both handsome and talented dudes named Jordan.
@@bigjedimullet - Dude, just admit you think all black guys look the same. Your comment reeked of racism.
He also was the lead in Dear Evan Hanson.
Chris short is cover hades, he’s an ex Nick Massi in JB and has a great bass voice
Similar to all your other reviews you cram so much great information and impressions into your vlog at breakneck pace.
I saw the show in LA on tour - then I saw it on broadway - it's a completely different show .. the flap is ok but the lift ads so much more to it. I really hope when it comes to Australia we can do the lift.
I was watching another reaction video of this event and saw you. (Barbara 2.0). I said hello to you, in her comments.
I love Hadestown
Hey everyone ! I’m French and I want to plan a trip but I don’t know the dynamics of the west end very well. Do you think that Hadestown’s run has good chances of being extended over the winter of 2024 ? Is it successful enough that we can bet on and predict a longer run than the date the website booking calendar currently shows.
Yes I should think so, the ticket sales seem to be doing great so far and there are so many people who want to see this show, I think it would last more than a few months (although with theatre you never really know)
I'm nervous about Grace Hodgett after seeing her in Sunset Boulevard. Though her voice is lovely, her face was dead the entire show. I don't know if that was a directing choice for her specifically, or if that is just how she is. I guess we'll see!
The National must have eaten that show alive. I don't understand why the producers allowed it to play there. Kerr is the perfect space for it
It had the same set but I think it was a bit bigger, and 8 workers instead of 5. It worked from the slime tutorial I've seen, but the smaller space at the Kerr was absolutely perfect for it when I saw it there, yeah.
There is a slime tutorial somewhere on RUclips, and it does seem to fit very well, my concern is that the Lyric has a considerably smaller stage than either the NT or the WKT, so I'll be interested to see how it fits.
Aren't they in New Orleans?
Orpheus with a Cork accent is so weird. Love him though and the new Hermes.
The only thing that is bugging me a little: Is it just me, or are there very few swings? Seems like illness could get this show to go dark quite quickly
If the actors used the characters original accent they’d all be sounding Greek
Exactly! 😅
That Melanie La Barrie is very convincing in the clips you show. I saw that Lilias White as Hermes on Broadway. She was so bad an actor. Singing was powerfull and loud, but she failed horribly in telling a story, got lost on stage and had no connection with Orpheus or any of the other players.