By Chris Heide

After more than two years, wearing a mask at the theatre is now optional! Despite this seemingly small adjustment, being able to return to a semblance of normalcy has notably enriched the theater going experience. This energy of normality was palpable in the audience.

Hadestown is one of the most rousing, well-paced, and engaging shows I have ever seen. It has easily ascended into the highest echelon of all-time great Broadway performances.

Hadestown is formulated around a notable Greek fable feature in Hades, Persephone, and Orpheus. It is a tale we have all heard in school, but this musical showcase is an engaging convergence of utilizing a classic story to tell a modern story about personal freedom. The metaphors are rich and give the songs have significant impact. There is literally a song about the necessity of building a wall, and it is difficult to not compare this narrative to the tense political climate of the last six years. This is the brilliance of art; it utilizes stories to transcend art to articulate the most poignant of themes, pop-culture moments, and movements.

The entire cast in Hadestown is brilliant. There is not a weak link in the entire cast. There is a magical synergy between all the players that creates a mesmerizing sense of dissociation and transcendence. Time becomes irrelevant as the story unfolds, encapsulates, and enthralls. Every piece of this show works- the actors, the rich book, the blending of lush musical genres, the brilliant contemporary choreography, and the beautiful set.

It is easy to see why Hadestown is an award-winning show. It also features a predominantly black cast, a refreshing change from the often too typical whitewashing that Broadway often perpetuates. This show is in a league of its own and a must see work of art.