Prepare for an enchanting journey from the ordinary to the mystical as “Hadestown: Teen Edition” takes center stage in Northeast Pennsylvania. This captivating retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice promises to transport audiences to the underworld with performances in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre this weekend.
Upcoming Performances in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre
The Youth Arts Coalition and Scranton Fringe Festival will host three performances at West Scranton Intermediate School: Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. For ticket information, visit the Youth Arts Coalition or Scranton Fringe websites.
Meanwhile, Wilkes-Barre Area’s Wolfpack Players will perform their version from Thursday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 23. Additional details on showtimes and tickets can be found here.
For a broader look at events in Northeast Pennsylvania, check out DiscoverNEPA.
A Unique Student Production Experience
Geneva Tulenan, portraying the Greek god Hermes, guides the audience through this mythological tale. “I technically do know what is happening or what’s supposed to be happening,” Tulenan noted, highlighting Hermes’ role as the all-knowing chorus leader.
Director Simone Daniel emphasized the uniqueness of staging a Broadway-level production. “When Fringe was starting this program, we really just asked ourselves, what show are we excited about?” Daniel explained, noting “Hadestown” was a popular choice.
Thanks to Concord Theatricals, which holds the rights to “Hadestown,” students now have access to this musical while it is still on Broadway, with a script “nearly identical” to the professional version. This introduces vocal challenges, particularly for the male leads who must range from deep bass to high tenor.
Community Engagement Through Arts
The Youth Arts Coalition, led by founder Laura Boyle, aims to revive arts education in the region. “We added visual arts and theater so we have afterschool programs,” Boyle said. The coalition offers these programs without charge, with ticket sales for “Hadestown” supporting their continuation.
This collaboration with Scranton Fringe marks their first theatrical production. “Between the theater, visual arts and our music classes, it’s thriving,” Boyle added.
Local Flavor and Historical Connections
Director Daniel has tailored the production to resonate with Scranton’s rich history. “There’s literally a line where Hades says ‘I conduct the Electric City,’” a nod to Scranton’s nickname and coal mining past.
In this adaptation, Eurydice joins the underworld’s coal miners, with scenes like “Why We Build the Wall” reflecting local labor history.
The cast, including Don Riemensnyder as Hades and Julia Stewart as Persephone, brings the narrative to life. Riemensnyder relishes his role, saying, “I get to play this cool, devious kind of villain.”
Luke Tellis steps in as Orpheus, bringing his musical talents to the forefront. “I loved meeting all of the new people and being put into an environment like this,” he shared.
The production promises to be a moving experience. “It’s a sad song, it’s a tragedy, but we’re going to sing it again,” Daniel concluded, urging audiences to join the journey.
