Monday Moments - Hadestown

If you've followed this blog, my friends, you know I love the theater and Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX.  We are very fortunate to get excellent Broadway touring  companies. Hadestown was no exception. I treated myself to a ticket for a Sunday matinee and was transported to the underworld. It was worth the trip. 

I did my homework ahead of time and reviewed some Greek mythology. This is the story of Hades - God of the dead and ruler  of the underworld. His wife Persephone is the goddess of the seasons. She spends half of the year with him causing fall and winter. The other half is spring and summer above. 

Hermes is the fleet footed guide and messenger of the gods. He transports the souls. 

Orpheus is a beautiful man - son of the muse of epic poetry, lyrical singing, and  plays the lyre. 

He falls for Eurydice - a tree nymph who's bitten by a snake and descends to the underworld where Hades falls  for her.   Orpheus manages to sneak into the underworld to rescue her.  A battle for souls ensues. 

The Fates - three goddesses determine the destinies of mortals.  The Chorus sing, speak, and dance in unison - representing the voice of the citizens. 

All in all  - this musical just hits the soul. The voices are tremendous, the acting superb, the production is tight.  There are a lot of underlying  themes going  on too - there's a lot to think about after it's over. But when it starts with "The road  to hell" and ends with "  Doubt comes in" - oh, you are in for quite a ride. 

Amen and Hallelujah!

 

Food For Thought Friday

2019 Broadway  - Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical went to Andre De Shields for his role in  Hadestown.  It's his first Tony award.

The man is 73 years old.  He gave one of the best speeches I've heard, and believe me, Tony Award winners give good speeches. As stage actors, they have gravitas.

With perfect timing, he had three things to say:

1. Surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming.

2. Slowly is the fastest way to get where you want to be

3. The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing.

That's your food for thought on a Friday.

Have a good weekend!