Greek myth gets a jazzy twist in Tony-winner 'Hadestown,' on stage in Providence this week
With a New Orleans jazz feel and a diverse cast, “Hadestown” spins an ancient story of two couples as they make their way through life in ways that will make audiences forget they hated Greek mythology in high school.
“You don’t have to know anything about Greek mythology to love this show, and you might be more interested in mythology after seeing our show,” says Nathan Lee Graham in a phone interview.
Graham, a seasoned stage and screen actor and cabaret singer, plays Hermes, the “Disneyland guide” or narrator in the Tony Award-winning show, on stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center this week. The musical is a retelling of the mythic tales of two couples — young lovers Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and his wife, Persephone.
“The music and story is about the human condition. Two couples explore love, trust, betrayal and doubt,” Graham says. “It’s so suspenseful and beautiful, and you want to see what happens next.”
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As its name suggests, the show slides between Earth and hell, with what Graham calls the “jaws of death” opening to let people in and out. The touring production has the same set designer and other creative talent as the Broadway show, giving a similar eerie yet breathtaking feel, he says.
“We weave you in and out of these two worlds,” says the actor, who is on stage for all but six or eight minutes in the 2½-hour production.
The trick to maintaining the same level of impact as Hermes, he says, is a combination of athletic training, pacing himself and playing tricks in his mind.
“It’s a mind game,” Graham says, snapping his fingers. “There’s no time to be tired. You just find times in the show where you can regroup and reserve your energy.”
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At those times, he watches the audience. His theory is that a quiet audience is completely engaged.
“I know then that they’re really with us, and you can feed off that energy,” Graham says.
Energy is important to the actor, who hadn’t been on stage since 2017.
“I have an old actor friend, Judith Light, who told me that you have to be on stage once a year so you don’t lose that muscle,” he says. “And this a wonderful role for me. I like interacting with the audience and then weaving myself back into the show.”
Audiences also react well to the diversity of the cast, he adds, noting that touring in a divided country with a cast of color and different nationalities provides a source of unity for a few hours.
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“Sometimes when I float above myself in a mystical way and see everything, I think, ‘Isn’t this a metaphor for what life is really about?’ It’s exciting,” Graham says. “And, the audience recognizes that. It’s about culture, where people are from, and it’s reflected in how the show is portrayed.”
At the stage door, many people will comment on how normal the diversity is, he says.
“It goes beyond diversity, and that’s impressive. It’s not a novel thing, it’s the thing,” says Graham, adding a quote from his character: “He could show you a world the way it could be.”
If you go ...
What: "Hadestown"
Where: Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence
When: March 21-26
Tickets: $30-$114
Info: ppacri.org, (401) 421-2787
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Greek myth gets a jazzy twist in 'Hadestown,' coming to Providence
