Review by Ali Lewis, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
Traveling into the depths of the Underworld is a journey that most mortals never dare to take, but Milford High School didn't hesitate to bring the audience along on this thrilling journey with their incredibly haunting performance of Hadestown: Teen Edition.
Written by Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown: Teen Edition adds a modern twist to the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. This story begins with a young songwriter, Orpheus, who falls in love with a poor, beautiful woman, Eurydice. Despite their blooming romance, Eurydice seeks stability in the midst of bleak poverty, leading her to make a deal with the god of the Underworld, Hades. After realizing that Eurydice has become trapped, it's up to Orpheus to rescue his true love... but when this perilous journey begins to unfold, doubt and insecurity prove to be the real villains of this chilling tale.
The cast and crew of Milford High School took on this challenging production with a precision that was exceptional. The cast delivered impressive harmonies and choreography, and when this talent was paired alongside the immersive technical elements of the crew, the show was beautifully executed.
Danielle Stout narrated the show through her portrayal of Hermes, and she did so with a charisma that was equally captivating as it was impressive. Asher Link, who stepped into the part of Orpheus, embraced highly difficult music with a confidence that was astounding. Link's loving, imaginative character came to life especially in songs like "Wait for Me," where his chemistry with leading actress, Annie Jasinoski (Eurydice), was truly moving. Jasinoski also delivered a touching performance, her consistently strong vocals making each song seem effortlessly beautiful.
Supporting actor, Jacob Peterson, provided a balance to these light-hearted characters with his dark, mysterious persona as he embodied the god of the Underworld, Hades. Peterson's low, booming voice suited him perfectly for his dark, villainous character, and when paired alongside Ariana Rodriguez (Persephone), these two formed a duo that was seemingly indomitable.
On the technical side of this production, the lighting crew (Brady Eastep and Emily Spiering) utilized side lighting to symbolize the moon and the sun, enhancing the story in a way that was breathtaking. The costume crew, led by Heidi Hassman, also added to the visuals of this show through their handcrafted costumes, most notably being the dresses of the three fates, Emily Zeek (Clotho), Brooke Nickley (Lachesis), and Chloe Call (Atropos). These dresses were dripping with gold sequins and had an eerie touch of gray ruffles to truly encapsulate the sinister side of these singers. In addition, Chloe Call captured these incredible technical elements through her promotional video, which transported viewers into this soulful world before the show even began.
Overall, Milford High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition brought this haunting story to life, proving that the journey to the Underworld isn't always scary—it's beautiful and bittersweet in the best ways possible.
Review by Catherine Foster, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
In a world of gods and men, a dreamer seeks to sing the seasons back into tune: Milford High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition was a poignant and captivating journey into the Underworld.
Hadestown is a distinctly American retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice that takes inspiration from the musical styles of New Orleans. In a world where nature has fallen into disarray due to the loss of love between the gods Hades and Persephone, the usually practical Eurydice finds herself falling in love with the poor songwriter Orpheus. However, when winter comes and Eurydice is shivering and starving, Hades lures her into the Underworld, an industrial hell of unending labor, with the promise of escaping poverty. Orpheus must journey into the Underworld to try and save his lover and to sing a song that will rekindle the love of Hades and Persephone and bring the world back to its natural state.
Hadestown is a challenging show to perform not only because of its sung-through style and complex musicality, but also because of its emotional depth and weighty themes of love, loss, and social issues. Milford's cast and crew rose to the demands of this intricate show with maturity and poise, encapsulating its haunting yet hopeful tone through thoughtful acting choices, soulful vocal performances, and meticulously designed technical elements.
Asher Link successfully embodied the naivety and earnestness of the dreamer Orpheus with a folky, vulnerable vocal tone and skillful use of his falsetto, most notably in the determined ballad "Wait for Me." Annie Jasinoski's grounded performance as the pragmatic Eurydice perfectly complemented Link's wistfulness. Her resonant, mellifluous voice powerfully conveyed Eurydice's love, hope, and fear throughout the show.
Emily Zeek, Brooke Nickley, and Chloe Call exemplified incredible ensemble chemistry while playing the manipulative Fates. Their sharp, synchronized execution of three-part harmonies and choreography was on full display in high-energy numbers such as "When the Chips Are Down."
Lighting designed by Emily Spiering and Brady Eastep was a highlight of Milford's production of Hadestown. From installing a crank system to raise and lower the iconic swinging lanterns in "Wait for Me" to using side lighting to create variation and shadowy effects in the many Underworld scenes, Spiering and Eastep went above and beyond to make this show a visual spectacle. Heidi Hassman chose costumes that both created a cohesive aesthetic for the show and emphasized the individuality of characters. Identical coveralls for all members of the worker ensemble showed their machine-like conformity, while unique touches on each of the gods' costumes (like feathery wings on Hermes' shoes) helped to distinguish their personalities.
Overall, Milford High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition told the ancient story of Orpheus and Eurydice in a fresh and interesting way while remaining true to its timeless themes. This beautiful production was truly a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, the world will always need dreamers.
Review by Sofia Schaffer, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
From way up above to down below, Milford High School's Hadestown: Teen Edition was everything but tragic, filled with the roaring and bustling of its musicality to the bittersweet tones of an old tale from long ago.
A musical based around Greek mythology, Hadestown: Teen Edition tells the story of the two lovers Orpheus and Eurydice. Hadestown was inspired by the idea of the buzzing 1930s of New Orleans, with the splitting of two worlds: the above world and the underworld, Hadestown. The poor musician, Orpheus, falls in love with Eurydice, but the coming of winter from above and the rise of the underworld split the two apart as Eurydice sells her soul to live in the world below.
Although Hadestown: Teen Edition has a huge demand for talent and a complex score, Milford High School's performance of Hadestown: Teen Edition rose above the challenge. The cast and crew took on this sung-through musical with energy and grace, leaving no room for doubt or empty promises.
With vocals as technically dynamic as Eurydice's, Annie Jasinoski surpassed expectations for a high school's performance. Jasinoski's harmonious voice was clearly accentuated throughout "All I've Ever Known," mixing well with her counterpart, Orpheus. Asher Link played a convincing Orpheus, showing the naivety and optimism of the young musician, but in the iconic "Wait For Me," he truly showed his vocal depth and agility.
Whether supporting each song as a trio or singing front and center in "When The Chips Are Down," Emily Zeek, Brooke Nickley, and Chloe Call perfectly portrayed the sinister narrators throughout the show. Zeek, Nickley, and Call were timely with each dance sequence and always acting even when the attention was not specifically on them. The Workers ensemble provided an interesting contrast between the above world and Hadestown. The Workers were a clear depiction of the underworld and performed the stringent choreography with a togetherness that did not go unnoticed.
Each song was accentuated beautifully by the lighting design and execution, led by Emily Spiering and Brady Eastep. The crew's timing throughout the show not only kept the excitement and energy of the show up, but also impacted more specific moments like Orpheus' looking back to Eurydice and the flashing intensity in "Keep Your Head Low." The above world's Earth-like colors and the underworld's harsh and blazing lights emphasized the contrast of the two.
Milford High School's Hadestown: Teen Edition was a beautiful contrast of the cast and crew's lively energy to the tragedy of its ending and a story worth telling again and again.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"Despite their position in the background, Milford's tech crew stood out in the best way possible. Brady Eastep and Emily Spiering's lighting added astounding details to the show. From spots of sunlight, on-beat lantern cues, and larger-than-life swinging lights, every change in lighting not only highlighted the story but perfectly matched the atmosphere and displayed the lighting crew's technical prowess."
-Audrey Smith, Loveland High School Critic Team
"Annie Jasinoski breathtakingly played the fabled beauty, Eurydice, as she stole the show in numbers such as 'All I've Ever Known' and 'Flowers.' Her gifted vocals truly manifested their range as she poured out her heart through both powerful belts and an artistry that brought the audience deeper into the ancient tale. Furthermore, Asher Link, who played Orpheus, brought a true presence to the stage in songs such as "Wait for Me" and "If It's True" with a depth of performance that gripped at the heartstrings."
-Charlotte Weghorst, Highlands High School Critic Team
"With celestial vocals, atmospheric technical elements, and a well-rehearsed ensemble, Milford's Hadestown smashed the high expectations of this incredibly difficult and popular show. This powerful take wove the values of hope and devotion through each evocative melody. And for a moment there, the world came back to life."
-Caroline Lovelace, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"The costumes, designed by Heidi Hassman, flawlessly depicted the timeless feel of the characters. From the most notable things, like the changing of Persephone's dress when she went to the underworld, to the tinier things, like the feathers on Hermes' shoes to represent the winged shoes the god is known for, illustrated the attention to detail that Hassman put into each character and costume."
-Claire Childers, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
"Pulling strings from the shadows was the haunting trio of the Fates, Emily Zeek, Brooke Nickley, and Chloe Call. They expertly executed their roles as the eerie sisters who provided counsel to Hades, Orpheus, and even the audience. The trio cemented themselves as a consistent bright spot in the show with their intricate, enchanting harmonies in songs like 'When the Chips Are Down' and 'Doubt Comes In' that warn both the characters and the crowd of how dangerous the human mind is."
-Clark Sayre, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"Asher Link as Orpheus captured the passion and gentle nature of the character, expertly carrying the emotional weight of the story. Link's rendition of 'Wait for Me (Reprise)' demonstrated the growth of the character, from gentle to fierce, and finally, hopeful. Annie Jasinoski balanced the vulnerability of Eurydice with a sharp edge that added depth to her portrayal. Jasinoski's strong voice radiated in her performance of 'Flowers.' Together, Link and Jasinoski's chemistry anchored the show in a compelling love story."
-Nyla Shahanavaz, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"In summary, Milford High School's production of Hadestown: Teen Edition masterfully combined passionate performances and creative design to illuminate the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of adversity."
-Eva Sarakatsannis, Highlands High School Critic Team