From the Netherworld to the island to the underground: my 2020 theater plans

When thinking about a piece this month, I wanted to talk about what shows I’m planning to see or work on this year. I wanted to take the time to offer comments and opinions before I see the shows, that way I can look back on this post at the end of the year.   My theater year is shaping up to be one for the books, and I wanted to talk about each of the shows I’m seeing, including favorite songs, favorite characters, and thoughts before I see these shows live.

My year will start off with Beetlejuice on Broadway in February. Once I heard the show would close, or possibly move in June, I knew that I would need to see the show before the run in the Winter Garden ended. From the time the cast recording came out last year, I have enjoyed the music, characters, and the story of this musical, and I can’t wait to see the full production. For those unfamiliar, Beetlejuice is a musical based on the movie of the same name; the plot of the story follows Lydia, a teen who lost her mother at a young age,  and the demon who befriends her. My favorite characters are Lydia, Delia, and Barbara. Lydia brings the darkness that matches Beetlejuice, as he is a demon, the two of them have the same dark energy, which serves as a counterpoint to Delia, Delia I enjoy because she is positive and uplifting, specifically in the song “No Reason.” Barbara I love because she is the balance between being positive about getting her house back; and seeing the reality that it won’t work out. The top three songs I love from this musical are “Dead Mom,” “No Reason”, and “Barbara 2.0”. Dead Mom is on the list because it’s Lydia’s first solo, and sets the tone for her character, “No Reason” is one of the most fun and upbeat songs in the show, and “Barbara 2.0” serves as the moment Barbara agrees that she and Adam will help Lydia.

I will see the tour of Once On This Island in June, and I am serving as Dramaturg for a local production of Once On This Island Junior.  For those unfamiliar, a dramaturg is someone who researches the show, works with the production staff to make sure the show is historically accurate, and that it is the best show possible. The musical takes place on an island after a storm, as the villagers tell the story of Ti Moune to calm a crying young girl. The story follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who saves Daniel, a rich young man from the other side of the island.  This musical also includes aspects of Hattian Voodoo, with the Hattian gods playing characters in the story, and villagers who pray to the gods controlling the events that take place. Ti Moune, Erzulie, the goddess of love, and Mama Euralie round out my favorite characters of the musical. Ti Moune is the leading lady, and someone who loves unconditionally even in the darkest times, Eruzlie serves as a character of love and peace, the opposite of Papa Ge, the demon of death. The final character, Mama Euralie, is a voice of reason for Ti Moune, someone who pulls Ti Moune from her daydream that Daniel will one day marry her. “Waiting For Life” is Ti Moune’s high energy song, she sings about wondering why the gods saved her from the storm and asking them to guide reveal their purpose. Erzulie sings “The Human Heart”, a song about the young lovers, and human connection, and finally,  any parent will relate to “Ti Moune”, where Ti Moune is ready to embark on the god’s chosen journey for her, and her parents worried that they have properly prepared her for it.

Hadestown announced a Philadelphia stop in the fall, we just don’t know the date, or the theater it will be in yet. Hadestown is a retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with a jazz- and folk-inspired score with music and lyrics by Anais Mitchell. The characters in this musical are all based in Greek Mythology. My favorite characters are Orpheus, Eurydice, and Persephone. Orpheus is the artist who sees the way the world could be, serving as an optimistic voice in a world of darkness. Eurydice is seeing the reality of the world they live, and their current situation. Persephone is in the middle because she knows how bad Hadestownc can be, and the world above is, but she does everything in her power to make it better. The music in this show is one of the first things that drew me to the musical when the Live Album was released. My favorite songs are “Flowers”, “Wait For Me”, and “Lady of the Underground.” “Flowers” is Eurydice’s solo, where she is reminiscing about her time in the world above, now that she is in Hadestown, this song appeals to me because it’s an emotional ballad about Eurydice remembering a simpler time,   “Wait For Me” is the song Orpheus’s sings right after he finds out his love is with Hades; this is his song of longing for Eurydice again, this song is the one where it becomes clear that Orpheus will do anything to save his love. “Lady of the Underground” serves as the Act Two opener and is a fun jazzy tune where Persephone introduces the musicians, I love this song because it’s a fun happy number before the dark events of Act 2 take place. 

I hope you enjoyed this piece, and if you don’t already know a show discussed, I hope I inspired you to look into the musical. If you already know the musical, I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on them. Have a great 2020 theater season!