by Anna Larranaga.
I’ve been a Broadway buff for as long as I can remember, but I’ve been late to the party on Hadestown (I know I know- but I’m an Escape to Margaritaville girl- sue me!). Well, I finally got my chance to see it live, and what started out as a nice night in the theatre became one of the most harrowing experiences of my life.
When I picked out my outfit for the evening, I didn’t think much of it. Since the show is unique and rustic I thought I’d match the vibe, so I put on a pair of super cute overalls and headed to the Walter Kerr theater. Little did I know that my quirky outfit was a huge mistake.
The beginning of the show was great, but everything changed once the chant started.
Hermes looked into the house and immediately made eye contact with me. He stormed into the audience, grabbed me by the back of my overalls and dragged me towards the stage. Initially I was thrilled—I’ve always wanted to be on a Broadway stage—but I quickly realized I was in trouble.
I was sat on stage right and, unsure of what to do, I started to sing along. But then one of the Fates pinched my cheeks and said “NO. Not you. You are the bad one and you sit in time out,” and put a headlamp on me that had the light shining directly in my eyes.
It felt awkward just sitting there. I didn’t know if I should be in character or still an audience member. I wasn’t even enjoying the show. I tried to get up and go offstage and Hermes hissed at me and said “NO. You can’t leave until Mr. Reeve says so,” and I said “but Reeve Carney isn’t in the show anymore.”
But then he pointed to the wings where Reeve Carney was standing with a twirly mustache that had clearly been glued on.
I thought I could sneak off during intermission, but I was boxed in by the ensemble, who chained me to the ornate railing of the staircase. Then Persephone came over and said “this is what you do now” and handed me a pile of tangled phone cords. I would have been embarrassed, but it seemed like no one in the audience knew I was there- they were too mesmerized by the seamless blend of folk music and New Orleans jazz. So I was just scared and confused.
If anyone is reading this, I’ve been locked in prop storage for days and I want to go home so bad.
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