Anticipation for Goodpasture’s spring musical, “Hadestown,” has audiences ready for the wait to be over. Performances are 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.

“Hadestown,” by Anaïs Mitchell, is the story of two lovers: Eurydice and Orpheus. The musical is narrated by Hermes, who follows Orpheus as he travels to the underworld, where Persephone and Hades inhabit, to rescue his lover, who sold her soul to Hades. It’s a musically heavy and heartfelt story with themes of hope, perseverance, and, most importantly, love.

“The audience should definitely look forward to all the amazing leads and their singing, particularly Gavin and Naomi,” senior Auburn Haun said. “They are the perfect Orpheus and Eurydice.”

This year’s cast is includes: Alessandra Stone as Hermes, Gavin Marcy as Orpheus, Naomi Cartwright as Eurydice, Wylder Smith as Hades, Auburn Haun as Persephone, and Camilla Duensing, Lillian Norsworthy, and Ella Woolsey as the Fates.

“As the director, my favorite part has definitely been watching the students grow throughout the process while bringing the story of Hadestown to life,” Theatre Director Ginny Shockley said. “The music in this show is incredible, but also really challenging. It’s been amazing to watch the actors rise to that challenge and tackle such difficult material with so much dedication.”

What’s more, this is the first year Goodpasture will perform “Hadestown” as it is a newly released musical for high schoolers to act out.

“I really wanted to challenge our actors to tell this story in a meaningful and expressive way through the music while exploring those deeper ideas about trust, sacrifice, and what it means to keep believing,” Mrs. Shockley said.

Backstage, cast members have enjoyed their time preparing for the play.

“Everyone had such a great time bringing the songs to life, and I think that fun energy is so immersive,” Marcy, who is a senior, said.

Furthermore, “Hadestown” wouldn’t be “Hadestown” without the workers’ ensemble. The workers act as the collective voice of humanity and labor that shows the transitions from singleness to unity, or despair to hope. The workers truly show community and make the show feel complete.

“I feel like the ensemble really helps move the story along,” senior Corrie Gallina, who plays a worker, said. “We are extensions of everyone’s emotion; you wouldn’t be able to get a sense without us, especially about how powerful Hades is.”

A ton of work has been put into this show, not only by the actors but also behind the scenes.

“So much care has been put into the sets, makeup, and costumes,” Smith, who is a sophomore, said. “Our tech team are practically geniuses!” 

Likewise, the crew has displayed skills of craftsmanship. From the stage managers (Eddie Chan and Hannah Edwards), style crew (Whitley Agnew, Ciara Collins, Maja Daugherty, Thea Fontenot, Ava Thornberry, Lizzie Tongate, and Addi Wright), and run crew, (Colin Black, Addison Claytor, Anders Dickerson, Karolyn Gregory, Micah Matherley, Lydia Misiak, Ariel Ng, Olivia Parker, Evan Shepherd, and Harrison Tomiln), not to mention the rest of crew, have shown a deep, immense dedication to bringing this production alive.

“This year, I’ve built about 50% of the sets,” junior Hannah Edwards said. “It’s been more challenging since we’ve added more technical elements like the motorized turningtable.”

Chan notably designed the set, while Edwards has helped bring the set to life.

Auditions for “Hadestown” were on Nov. 18, and they started rehearsals on Dec. 1.

“We’ve been working on the show ever since, and it’s been really exciting to spend the past few months learning the music, choreography, and blocking while watching all of the pieces come together,” Mrs. Shockley said.

Correspondingly, the musical is filled with many different songs for the audience to enjoy.

“It’s so hard to pick a favorite song because this show is full of amazing music,” Haun said. “For me, it’s a tie between ‘Way Down Hadestown’ and ‘Chant.’”

Tickets are now on sale at goodpasture.org. Furthermore, there will be a table in the high school lobby selling $5 student tickets this week.

“I promise, you won’t regret seeing it,” senior Naomi Cartwright, who plays Eurydice, said.