HHS Drama Club presents ‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ Nov. 21-23: ‘The cast is giving everything they have’

Hingham High School’s fall production of the musical,  “Hadestown Teen Edition” — based off of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical — is sure to draw a large audience. Show dates are Nov. 21-23 at Hingham Middle School at 7 p.m. Order tickets now as they are selling fast! General admission is $15. (See below.)

Ben Cavallo-Smith, who plays Orpheus in the show, told the Hingham Anchor that it’s a “fun” role.

“Orpheus begins his journey as a dreamer, brimming with youthful optimism and a belief in the beauty of his vision — a song that can restore harmony to the world. His love for Eurydice is pure but naive; he sees the world as it could be, without fully understanding the harshness of the world as it is,” he explained.

When Eurydice is taken to Hadestown, Orpheus is forced to confront reality, “stepping out of his idealism and into action. He faces fears, temptation, and the ultimate test of trust as he descends into the Underworld to save her. This journey matures him, teaching him the weight of responsibility, the cost of love, and the resilience it takes to hold onto hope in the darkest places. Though the ending is unfortunate, Orpheus returns to the world transformed. He now is a man who has tasted loss and learned that even the greatest love can’t escape fate, yet he still believes in singing his song again.”

As a senior playing Orpheus in the play, Ben said he  feels a “huge sense of responsibility, both to the role and to the cast.”

‘Pushing myself to feel every moment’

He tries to lead by example, showing up prepared, on time, and ready to give his all. “I know that being Orpheus means more than just memorizing lines and hugging the right notes; it means pushing myself to feel every moment, to bring real emotion and vulnerability to the stage, and to make each scene meaningful. I want the younger cast members to see what dedication looks like, so I try to go beyond with things such as running lines/songs with anyone who needs it and encouraging everyone to bring their best to each rehearsal (and to the performances once we open).”

During rehearsals — which can sometimes get stressful, especially as opening night approaches — Ben works toward helping to maintain a “positive and focused” atmosphere.

“I make a point of celebrating small victories and offering support if anyone needs it. This is my last school musical, and I want to make the most of every moment, knowing that these friendships and memories are what I’ll carry with me long after the final bow,” he shared.

Playing Orpheus has caused Ben to reflect on how far he has come in theater. “It feels meaningful to close this chapter by giving everything I have on the stage and helping everyone else do the same,” he said.

‘Talent, dedication, and heart’

The show wouldn’t be possible without the “incredible group of people who pour their talent, dedication, and heart into every single moment,” Ben said.  “I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing cast — especially Ruby Blake, who embodies Eurydice with depth and passion; Nick Roche as Hades, whose presence fills the stage with power; Tommy Parker as Hermes, who brings such charisma and guidance to the role; and Annie Daly as Persephone, whose energy and emotion are breathtaking.”

Each of them has “thrown themselves into their roles, and their hard work elevates the show beyond anything I could have imagined,” Ben said. “Our three Fates, the workers, and every single cast member in between are putting in the work to bring their all to the play, making every rehearsal and every scene come alive with spirit and dedication.”

Ruby told the Hingham Anchor that she is looking forward to, and excited about opening night.

“I’m playing a young girl named Eurydice who goes through a massive journey and transformation throughout the show. In the beginning, she is bitter to the cold world around her, and is skeptical of everyone around her, especially when it comes to love,” Ruby explained.

‘I think the audience will fall in love with the characters’

However, Eurydice quickly learns that she cannot avoid love and relationships forever and has to learn how to “navigate through her own trust issues while surviving in poverty. I think a lot of people can relate to Eurydice, as she is not a ‘stranger to the wind,’ Ruby said. “All of the leads in this show have been working so hard for months to build these relationships from the ground up, and I think the audience will fall in love with the characters just as we did.”

In addition, the chorus of “both workers and townspeople has been building cohesive dances and powerful lighting plays that will make each scene that much more powerful and memorable,” Ruby shared. “This is going to be a wonderful show, and I hope everyone joins us this weekend to experience the journey.”

Ben also expressed appreciation for the “phenomenal” creative team behind the production, including director and HHS drama teacher Maureen Fish and music director and grades 6-12 chorus teacher Christopher Landis, “who have worked tirelessly with each of us to make every moment count” and also for the choreographer Brandy Nickerson and Alysia Pelliccia, who also choreographed some of the pieces. Pelliccia teaches biology and oceanography at HHS.

‘Hope, healing, and renewal’

“I love this musical dearly. It has the ability to connect with everyone on so many human levels, regardless of age — the naivete of youth, the sting of disillusionment, the rush of first love, the depth of loss, and the timekeeping of the many cycles of what it is to be alive,” Fish told the Hingham Anchor. “It also strongly speaks to the power of art to create hope, healing, and renewal, which is invaluable!”

The show is also beloved by HHS drama students, so Fish knew they would be “over the moon if we were to receive the rights to perform it. It was so hard to keep a secret until our big reveal last spring at Thespian Night — our end of the year celebration of the season,” Fish shared.  “I’ve created a tradition for the outgoing seniors to sing a song from next fall’s musical as the big reveal of the title. ‘Wait for Me’ began to play, and there was a huge cheer as a response!”

Fish knows of a number of schools and arts organizations that applied for but did not receive a contract to perform “Hadestown,” so she feels “very fortunate to bring this piece to life.”

Landis also loves this show.  “I have been fortunate to see it twice on Broadway, and it makes me cry every time.  I have even found myself getting emotional during these rehearsals, which just means the students are excelling at the challenging aspects of this thought-provoking production,” he told the Hingham Anchor.

One of the more interesting aspects of the show, Landis said, is that the pit orchestra is on the stage for the production.  “This is a new concept for us.  It truly makes the show all-inclusive with the actors and pit musicians,” he said.

Landis also noted that the music is particularly challenging. “While this is the Teen Edition, besides a few key changes, the score stays pretty true to the original.”

‘The cast is giving everything they have’

“I believe our production of Hadestown is going to be a hit, not only because we’re one of the first schools in the area to take on this powerful show, but because of the heart and dedication everyone is pouring into it,” Ben said. “The cast is giving everything they have, with each actor bringing depth and energy to their roles — making the story come alive in a truly special way. Our directors have shaped this production with such care and vision that will really captivate the audience. With such a committed and talented team, we’re not just putting on a show — we’re creating an experience that’s bound to move our audiences and leave them with a lasting impact.”

Here are further details about the play from the Hingham High School Drama Club webpage: “This full-length Teen Edition of Anaïs Mitchell’s haunting, jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus’ mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice.

This intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of immortal King Hades and Lady Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz, Mitchell’s beguiling sung-through musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.”

Ben performed in “Little Shop of Horrors” last year alongside Ruby, Nick, and Annie. Tommy recently performed in “Much Ado About Nothing,” and other Hadestown performers have also appeared in earlier HHS Drama Club productions.

“They are all great actors, but more importantly, they are all really hard workers and kind people who are a joy to work with,” Fish said.

The set was designed by HHS junior Tag Tomlinson, who inspired much of the costume design as well.

The HHS Drama Club is an organization of more than 60 actors and crew members in grades 9 to 12.

For ticket and other information or to donate to the HHS Drama Club, go to https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/hingham-high-school/66e19cfa9ab0810320f8c4a5/.