HadesTown

Design Intent

Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell, is a contemporary retelling of the classic Greek tragedy featuring Eurydice and Orpheus. It’s made contemporary with the choices in phrasing as well as the stylization of the music used in each of the songs that make up the majority of the play. The heart of the story is love, fighting against fate. No many how many times a story is told and retold that there is this hope that this time things will turn out differently, even though everyone knows what the end will be.

Set mostly in Hadestown; the action of the story also features a location referred to as “Above”, which can be taken to mean the Earth. The time for the setting of Hadestown is left unspecified, but this production will be set during the Second Industrial Revolution; towards the tail end of the Edwardian Era (1900-1910). There is an interesting element of hope and positivity to this tragedy that will be captured in this design. 

    Many verbal cues used within the context of the musical led to the direction of the design. References to the Silver Screen, Automobiles, setting in an Electric Grid, and Hades' factory all support this choice. Historical research of the Edwardian era show these Grecian inspired clothing pieces that neatly meld elements of Ancient Greece and ‘Modern’ 1900’s fashion together. These styles will be used as inspiration for the Gods and the Fates. This production aims to have an interesting juxtaposition between the Chorus of the Above and Below. Due to Hades’s desire to make Hadestown this modern town and the height of technological advances; all the workers of his Factory Town and Chorus that are Below will be far more Edwardian. In contrast the Above with nature and farms will be more Grecian fusion inspired. 

    Further distinction will be choices seen for the colors between Above and Below; as well as the classes of the citizens. More color for Above; more vivid colors and decorations for the Gods compared to the normal citizens. Deeper, darker more muted colors for Below, with silvers and gold embellishments for the Gods Below. The lines for Below will be sharper more defined; while above’s will me more fluid and natural. Overall, this design will show distinction between Above & Below, Gods and citizens and connect back to its origins by the use of Ancient Grecian Inspired characteristics.