Smith - thoughts on Hadestown (again)

Continuing a discussion on Hadestown just because I love it so much and there is truly so much material that can be talked about. I love the concept of hope that Hadestown presents. Throughout the show, we are reminded that this is an old song, an old story, the outcome of which is pretty well known. The narrator, Hermes, does not shy away from making it clear that it’s a sad story, a tragedy. Despite these reminders, the moment that Orpheus turns around, failing the trial, a gasp sounds from the audience. Even those who have seen the show numerous times before feel the emotional impact of the moment. From the beginning, we are told that Eurydice does not make it out, but we still hold hope that maybe this time she will. In the final song of the show, Hermes says: “It’s a sad song, but we sing it anyway. Cause here’s the thing. To know how it ends, and still sing it again, as if it might turn out this time— I learned that from a friend of mine.” In this moment of sadness, the song turns into something bittersweet. It begins Orpheus and Eurydice’s story over again, the same way we saw it at the beginning of the show. It reignites hope in the audience, even though we know that it will never turn out differently. Hope is such a unique human experience, the ability to imagine a better future despite current adversities.