PUPOSKY — Greek mythology seems to find a way to stay relevant even in modern times. Director Cate Belleveau credits it to our humanity.
“The range of emotions we have as humans seems to be pretty consistent throughout history, doesn’t it?” Belleveau said.
A recent adaptation of Greek mythology is the musical Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell. It will be performed at the Mask and Rose Women’s Theater in Puposky Aug. 21-25.
Hadestown is a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice, desperate for food and to get out of poverty, goes to work in a hellish industrial version of the underworld. It’s up to her singer-songwriter lover, Orpheus, to save her.
The show also touches on the love story of Hades, the ruler of the Underworld, and Persephone, his queen. Actor Kat Lavelle, who plays Hermes in the production, told Area Voices on the KAXE Morning Show that the two love stories show different stages in a relationship. Orpheus and Eurydice are a new couple with a lot of passion, and Hades and Persephone are like an old married couple who may have reached the plateau of their relationship.
Belleveau says there’s a lot about the show that drew her to it.
“The powerful story about don’t lose your hope and your resilience around oppressive systems… where wise people are there are always those oppressive systems,” Belleveau said. “I love people to sit in community and to be moved and changed and to think about those bigger issues.”
Move to the music
The music throughout the show is a blend of blues and jazz but contemporary.
“This music is the kind of music that you would sit down and listen to. Just chilling,” Lavelle said. “It’s music with a message, but the harmonies and just the composition of [Mitchell’s] music is so amazing.”
A live band will perform alongside the production, featuring guitars and brass instruments. The show is like a folk opera as the characters sing through most of the dialogue.
“It is so fun, so amazing. Even the parts that aren’t happy have amazing music that just moves you,” Lavelle said.
Community effort
The production features a wide variety of actors and has several teenagers in its cast and crew. One teenager is even choreographing the entire show. Belleveau credits it to getting to know the community so well. She knew who to ask to tackle these roles.
That includes Lavelle, who hasn’t performed in a musical for a while, but Belleveau saw her perform at the Headwaters Music and Arts open mic and thought she would be a perfect Hermes.
Musical with a message
Lavelle and Belleveau both hope audiences take something bigger away from the show.
“I think one of the really strong points of this musical is that the workers unite when they’re in their oppressed state,” said Lavelle. “When you’re in an oppressed state, when you’re being held down, it’s hard to find joy. It’s hard to speak the truth, and it’s hard to promote creativity… They have to open their eyes, and they have to all be united.”
Belleveau added that Hades arc in the show is also a highlight.
“We see the arc of his change in this story from oppressor losing the love of his life and reevaluating what that’s like when all you do is oppress everyone around you,” Belleveau said. “And how do I get back to being a full human with empathy?”
Hadestown will be presented Aug. 21-25, with all the performances at 7 p.m. except for Sunday’s show at 2 p.m. No tickets will be sold at the door. Instead, people can get tickets at McKenzie Place.
“This is your chance to see a Broadway-quality production in a small rural theater,” Lavelle said. “It’s an experience that you need to check out.”
“Don’t clean your refrigerator, go fishing, or take the dog for a walk,” Belleveau said. “Instead, say ‘I’m going to go to Hadestown.’”
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
