A Musical Tragedy
A Musical Tragedy
Ash Freyer
The Flagstaff High School Theatre program has decided to do the musical take on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as well 
as the myth of Hades and Persephone— Hadestown. The theatre program is known for having electric musicals, many people said that their performance of Chicago last year was the best thing Flagstaff High had performed in a very long time. This year the pressure is on for the theatre team to put on the best show possible. This production is directed by Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Galloway. These two are the very same teachers who directed Chicago last year, which means this is definitely going to be one heck of a show.
The people who are auditioning seem super excited to perform Hadestown. The audition process is long as it usually is. One student, a freshman, said, “I think it’s pretty easy compared to what I have done in the past,” in regards to auditioning. On January 20th there was a meeting for all the parents and the people who are auditioning in the musical. The meeting discussed basic theatre rules and informed the parents about tech week and the long hours. Auditions are at the end of January, the 26th through the 29th, with the cast list posted on the 30th, and opening night on April 23rd.
Hadestown was created back in 2006, and it was first performed in Barre, Vermont, by its creator Anaïs Mitchell. Hadestown takes a jazzy folk spin on the original Greek myth which adds a lot to the show. The theme of Hadestown is industry versus art, as well as a lot of themes of love. This year Flag High is going to attempt to have some interesting stage design, maybe even a rotating platform on the stage. When asked if Hadestown will be better than Chicago was, the director, Mrs. Murray said, “I think it might be better, I think we have more talent this year.” Depending on how auditions go there is a chance that there will be double casting, and double casting is when there are two shows with two totally different casts.
Hadestown is only available to be performed by teens, it is only licensed to teens, and Flagstaff High School is going to be the first to perform it in Flagstaff, because it’s not easy to get a license for it. Students that are homeschooled and go to Coconino High are allowed to audition which means there’s a good chance the cast will be even bigger than it was for Chicago, there will also be a live band playing, and actors playing instruments onstage. Overall, this year, Flagstaff High School’s musical is going to be one jazzy and dramatic show, with a live band, possible rotating stage, some of the cast playing instruments and an excellent group of actors.