Hadestown tour completes Pittsburgh run at Benedum Center

The national tour of the musical Hadestown opened at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The production will run through Sunday, Nov. 1 as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series. Tickets for the remaining performances are available at trustarts.org.

The show’s recent cinema release has drawn renewed attention to the stage production. According to the source, the film became the highest-grossing pro shot of a stage musical and required an extension of its theatrical run due to high demand. This follows the success of the film The Odyssey, which reached the top of the box office earlier in the year.

Rudy Foster plays Hermes, the narrator and Greek god who guides the audience through the story. The source describes Foster as the standout performer of the show, noting his wide vocal range and ability to handle both dark and splendid musical moments. He serves as the emotional pillar and conduit connecting the audience to the other characters.

The cast includes Jose Contreras as Orpheus and Hawa Kamara as Eurydice. In Act I, Namisa Mdlalose Bizana performs the role of Persephone. An announcement made at intermission on Tuesday indicated that Miriam Navarrete would take over the role for Act II. The production features a live band and choreography by T. Oliver Reid, based on the original work by David Neumann.

The narrative adapts the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In the story, Hades, portrayed by Nickolaus Colon, acts as an industrialist who builds walls and factories in the underworld. He extends the cold seasons on the surface, forcing the starving Eurydice to accept his offer to work in Hadestown. Orpheus later descends to retrieve her, using his song to remind the gods of their love.

The direction is led by Keenan Tyler Oliphant, working from the tour concept by Broadway director Rachel Chavkin. Technical elements include scenic design by David L. Arsenault, costume design by Michael Krass, and lighting design by Aja M. Jackson. The production was nominated for 13 Tony Awards in 2019 and won eight.

The show’s themes include allegories for global warming and labor rights. The source notes that the song “Why We Build The Wall” was written before Donald Trump ran for president in 2016. The musical is based on music and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell.