#i love chant reprise

[notbroadwaybound]

I'm sure it has been said a million times already (it's a sad tale, but we post it anyways) but heartbroken the new live London recording of Hadestown cuts so much, especially from act two.

[winteraurora]

Hadestown and Newsies are very interesting revolutionary musicals. Unlike Hamilton or Le mis they are not explicit in their anti-capitalist and anti-government statements. They are subtle. 'Build the wall' and 'bottom line' hold the same meaning in their stories of the capitalist ruler discussing why they do what they do.

Though in 'the bottom line' Pulitzer is more blatant with his cutting of the newsies fees and how this is all for profit, 'build the wall' is more subtle with the explanation of why hades does what he does, as a way to control his citizens, he obviously is useing this explanation as a way to control them. 'We build the wall to keep us free, and the wall keeps out the enemy and the enemy is poverty and our work is never done.'

Both stories also use this familiar tone with the characters. Hades calls his workers 'my children' and Pulitzer says 'I couldn't have given them a better education if they were my own children'

Both stores have good revolution songs with hades town it's 'if its true" "nothing changes" "how long?" And of course "chant (reprise)"

While newsies has "the world will know" and "once and for all"

The fundamental difference between these two musicals is that Orpheus fought back for love, he did all of this for Eurydice for his wife, he went literally to hell and back, he fought through song and through appealing to Hades love for Prosephone.

While Jack fought for freedom through aggression...yes but ultimately he fought to go to Santa Fe which to his is freedom.

And the biggest difference between these two musicals two is the ending. Hadestown is a retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice he will look back we know this. This freedom of leaving hades town comes with a sting attached, with a stipulation of 'is he tricking me? Would he really let me leave?' While Newsies ends with Jack finding his freedom in New York and child labor laws being implemented. (Like in real history)

Sorry I'm not the best at media analysis especially with musicals since to me a lot of it feels like text and not subtext,

[ultimate-v3lvetfang]

never realized that Chant II is the soundtrack version meanwhile Chant (reprise) is the production version? i could be wrong with my wording, but i didn’t even realize we hadn’t heard Persephone’s “When i was a young girl…” line.

i think that’s a shame because that whole moment adds so much to the woman’s side of both these relationships, now it seems like the parallels stop at Orpheus and Hades but don’t continue with Eurydice and Persephone. it would’ve added that perfect cherry on top to the whole story tbh plus it gives persephone a perspective/backstory (which we technically do not have that information now if you’ve only seen the production, think of deleted scenes versus official movie, it’s not technically known info if it’s from an outside source that ISNT the final cut :/)

[beck-a-leck]

It's not a ship I'm super into, but I was thinking about Hobbit things, and listening to Hadestown and all of a sudden I have a Mighty Need for a Thorin/Bilbo = Hades/Persephone AU

I mean... it fits SO WELL.

King Under The Mountain = King of Silver, Gold, and Everything Glittering Under The Ground

Hobbit of Gentle Rivers and Rolling Hills = Goddess of Spring and Summer and Growing Things.

The fundamentally opposing personalities and priorities, and a relationship started with deep and true love that has turned hollow and bitter over the long years.

The angst and strife of two people who have forgotten how to love the other and continue trying to "fix" things to ever increasing levels of disaster.

So much potential for angst... so. much. 😈

I mean, Y'ALL just listen to this song to see where I'm coming from lmao

[keets-writing-corner]

HADESTOWN MY BELOVED

CHANT REPRISE MY BELOVED

Make the king feel young again. Sing for an old man!

[justarandombrit]

Believe it or not, I did in fact go to see Spies Are Forever (you'd never know from looking at my blog), and, as usual, I wrote down some notes. My memory is shit so I'll probably update this with additions when I remember more, but for now, below the cut...

Act 1:

. They played Show Stoppin' Number and so many people were singing along

. It started midway through them playing The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals

. Joey: “Sorry to anyone who thought they were seeing Wizard Of Oz. Although, this show has many friends of Dorothy”

. Emily Proudlock has a beautiful voice. The microphone was struggling a little at the start, though lmao

. THEY GOT AN ACTUAL BANANA PEEL

. Oliver Ormson (Owen) called Curt “Mega” which in the show he doesn't do until he becomes the DMA (not a criticism, just interesting)

. Owen said the “A man needs his privacy”(?) line, so Owen and Barb have officially interacted now

. I love Brian's Informant. His French accent was so over the top

. Brian stared at Clark when he said “The Deadliest Man Alive” until Clark played the keyboard sting. And then whenever anyone else said it throughout the show, he played it.

. They left in a huge awkward silence when the DMA was waiting for Sergio and it was so funny

. Sergio sounded so awkward when he said “You guys can relate, right?”

. Joey fucking SCREAMED “PLEASE!” during Sergio's little Somebody's Gotta Do It reprise

. “The Deadliest Man Alive disarms Mega and escapes”

“He does?”

. Dean John Wilson walked back on stage after his exit, said “The Deadliest Man” and left again

. Okay, so Claire M. Hall is a perfect Cynthia

. You guys are gonna crucify me for this, but I actually liked her Eyes On The Prize I better than Lauren's…

. Joey was making the weirdest faces during Eyes On The Prize II

. Curt cocked his head at Hallucination!Owen and Owen shrugged and mouthed “I don't know” at him

. I LOVE EMILY OOI’S BARB!!!!!! She did a cute little dance during “It's actually a gun!”

. Obioma (Curt) pretending his beard had been shaved lmao

. No Richard Big appearance sadly

. Curt was even more oblivious about Tatiana hitting on him than in the actual show

. The Nazi ensemble stuck around throughout the whole scene and kept gasping when Curt called them villains

. THEY MADE NOT SO BAD… EVEN MORE NOT SO BAD

. “SAY WE GOT A BIT LOST, WITH THE WHOLE HOLO–” *looks at ensemble* “ehh…”

. “WE DID ALL WE COULD DO TO poopoo THE JEW”

. They didn't make the audience chant, which was… probably for the best

. Von Nazi yelled “I'm a big boy! A BIG BOY” at Mega then walked off without using his knees

. Curt groaned and hung his head when the DMA said “I'm gonna torture the living shite outta you”

. Actually gasped at the overlapping “Doesn't even matter if I killed my best friend” and “To show you the horror of staying alive”, even though I knew it was coming

. The homoeroticism 🤌🤌🤌🤌

Act 2:

. I WAS ON THE SAME ROW AS A.J. FUCKING HOLMES AND DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL JOEY SHOUTED HIM OUT

. Joey shouted out loads of cosplayers still in character as Vanger Borschtit

. Everyone was so excited about Vanger Borschtit, and Joey made everyone cheer for an acceptable amount of time “for his reel”

. The new We Love the Prince lyrics really are so much better (also what did he do to the Pope?!?!?)

. Vanger Borschtit was DISTRAUGHT when the prince died

. Obioma stared so blankly into the audience at “Or whatever it is you boys do in the rumpus room”

. I think out of all of the new cast members, Evelyn Hoskins (Tatiana) sounded the most like the original actor (she was also so cool)

. Obioma actually sung the little “Very good place to start” Sound Of Music reference and Tatiana looked so annoyed

. Tatiana was SO into Doing This up until the kiss (which wasn't a real kiss lmao)

. MRS MEGAAAAAAAAAA

. The lights flashed rainbow after the line “So we're just… friends?”

. Curt looked straight at Barb when he said “Some of us may die”

. Curt paused before he drank the shot, and then started drinking a load and everyone stared at him, really concerned. It was a really neat piece of acting

. Von Nazi kept stressing how he had no idea how Feurgin was killed

. The Informant looked so concerned at the start of NSB reprise, then actually kinda got into it

. Jak Malone (Von Nazi) made his death SO DRAMATIC. He fell to the ground and went “Ow, my back! Ow, my front! Ow, my…self” and then got up and bowed

. Owen stood behind the DMA and they just spun around while Joey narrated

. Joey: “THE DEADLIEST MAN ALIVE FALLS DOWN THROUGH A HIDDEN TRAP DOOR IN THE STAGE–”

. ONE STEP AHEAD JSTSKTKEYYKDKFYFUHDYSWWGDJFKGKFDHSGSTSFJKGKGKGJDSYSYIFKF I'M NOT OKAY

Dean: *Crouch-walks away*

. Owen stared directly at Curt (and addressed him instead of Tatiana) when he said “Don't slip up” and loads of people “Ooh”ed

. Owen seemed actually on the verge of tears in Spies Are Forever (Reprise)

. He also fully yelled “You're a caveman!”

. They changed the line “Taking your advice” to “Moving on”, just like Curt (I think it was Curt? Edit: IT WAS JOEY) wanted in the livestream

. The speech before Spy Again (Reprise) was so good. Everyone came out on stage and it was all just incredible

. SPIES ARE FOREVER, IT'S A MUSICAAAAAAAAALLLLLL……. IT'S ABOUT SPIES!

[apomaro-mellow]

5 times eddie singled out steve during a concert and the one time steve did it back

Corroded Coffin fans were no strangers to the deep love shared between frontman Eddie and his boyfriend Steve. To the point where magazines barely cared to feature any candid pics of them unless Eddie was flipping off the camera. "Two Very in Love People Share a Kiss at Cafe Date" didn't really sell much when it was the 50th story like that.

So when Eddie slowed things down in the middle of the concert, getting that very familiar 'heart eyes' look.

"I know my baby's in the audience. Even though he has a very comfortable room backstage. Show me where you are beautiful." Eddie's voice was slightly rough from the first half of songs.

His eyes scanned the audience until he heard a bunch of screaming from his right. The crowd was vibrating and he knew someone had spotted Steve.

"There you are." Eddie bit his lip, grin threatening to split his face. "This next one's for you."

The crowd was a mix of screams and awws as the beginning melody of It's Always Been You was heard.

2. Another day, another venue. This time, the afternoon crowd at a music festival. It was one of Eddie's favorite kind of scenes. People of all types, letting the music take them in broad daylight. A good mix of diehard fans, casuals, and people who had never heard them play before.

Eddie knew for a fact that Steve was sitting in a little foldable chair, with some drink from one of the booths. He always looked so unassuming with his soft hair and even softer clothes. But Eddie could never let him forget his inner badass. Nor did he let anyone else forget.

"Lil pop quiz for my fans", Eddie started. "One of our fan favorites The Knight's Arrival is inspired by someone very special in my life. Can we get a chant going for the man who has always been my knight in shining armor?"

A very enthusiastic chant for Steve started and Eddie thought his heart might burst. It was like a triumphant reprisal of those times the school would cheer on the ex-king on game night.

3. Sometimes the band put an age restriction on a concert. Now Eddie was of the mind that children didn't need to be coddled or have things censored for them. But also, he didn't need to lay it all out when there was a kid in the audience.

It was these kinds of shows that Eddie let it all hang out. More than one song was inspired by his nights with Steve. His angel's voice even featured on one track, letting out husky moans as Eddie brought him to the brink in the recording booth.

And tonight Eddie was hot. Hot enough to have already taken his shirt off and throw it to the audience. Hot enough that when he went backstage and saw Steve, he was only thinking of one thing. Eddie kissed him deep, tongue licking at the roof of his mouth before a word could leave his lips.

Crash was keeping the audience going with a drum performance. One that started with a simple beat that slowly intensified.

"I want them to hear you", Eddie said against Steve's mouth.

Steve's hair was already tangled in his hair. "You wanna dangle me in front of them?", he smirked.

"Show them you're mine", Eddie started nibbling at his jaw. "Show 'em how good I love you down."

Eddie got the headset mic rigged onto Steve. His sweet boy was already hard, just as turned on from seeing Eddie in his element as he ever was. Eddie slid down to his knees and unzipped his boyfriend's pants.

It started quiet. Not even audible as Crash really got going on the drums and got close to the climax. The room erupted as he reached the end. And it was in the calming of their cheers that they finally began to hear it.

"Eddie, mmmfuck."

They stirred in unison. Steve's voice rang loud and clear as he received a pleasure the rest of them could only speculate on.

"Fuck, sso good. Don't stop. Don't stop-ahh."

For a moment all they heard was Steve's quickening breaths before he called out Eddie's name, dragging it out like he was falling down a well.

Eddie came out moments later, licking something off his lips to cacophonous cheers. The bassline to Take a Bite began. He wished he could've told his high school self that one day he'd get a standing ovation for blowing a guy.

4. "Before we get started tonight I gotta make an announcement!", Eddie came out, already on 100. "First, where's my angel baby. Help me find him."

As usual, a particular part of the audience went wild and moved in a way that could only mean Steve was there.

"Can I get a parting of the Red Sea?", Eddie asked, moving his hands apart and getting that part of the mob to split like Moses. Steve stood there in the middle.

"Get used to that gorgeous. My fellow rockers, scholars, and mischief makers - I am officially a kept man." He flashed the ring on his finger to a din of screams. "Wedding's next fall and we're registered at every corner liquor store! 5-6-7-8!"

5. Eddie felt like he was home. In the middle of a set, shredding in a way that made him feel alive. The current song made it even better. One of the best collaborative efforts of the band. All of their fingerprints were on this track.

The crowd was just as amped up, giving back everything they got. There truly was no place he'd rather be.

Then he caught sight of his Steve, standing just off stage in the wings. And he was overcome. None of this would be possible without him. And even if Eddie and his boys somehow made it to stardom, it all meant nothing without his sweetheart.

Eddie casually walked over, fingers still moving as he got closer to Steve. He only took his hands off his guitar to grab his fiance and dip him as they kissed. Steve wrapped his arms around Eddie's neck. This wasn't his first time being kissed on stage.

And just as other times, the crowd went wild, while Jeff, Gareth, and Crash rolled their eyes through the playing.

6. Steve watched, absolutely lovestruck as Eddie sat on the couch, eating cereal. Dustin's baby, little Deana was propped up on cushions next to him, clearly satisfied as she sat there content. They were uncles babysitting for the weekend.

Steve walked over and grabbed the remote from off the coffee table, holding it like a mic. "All the babes out there, are you ready to rock?", he pointed to Deana.

Her new eyes got large at the movement and sound and her little fists waved in the air.

"But before I go on, I gotta give special love to someone tonight", Steve turned his gaze to Eddie. "To the greatest thing since sliced bread, I could watch you eat Coco Puffs all day."

"You're such a cornball", Eddie beamed, cheeks turning pink. "Can't believe you're doin it in front of a baby."

"Oh, don't tell me the god of rock is getting bashful? So when I wanna shout you out in front of our niece, it's cheesy. But when you call me out in front of thousands-"

"Shut up and kiss me." Eddie put the half finished bowl on the floor and grabbed Steve by the wrist, pulling him right into his lap.

Steve let out a little breath between kisses. "Dustin's gonna have a fit if he finds out we made out in front of his baby."

"What he don't know won't hurt him."

[littleyellowtangerine]

Watching Turning Red again and wanna know a detail I can´t get over? In the Nobody like you reprise, when it's mixed with Mei's family chants, Mr. Gao (the guardian) says "sing from the heart" and when 4town signs it super powers the circle. Because they actually love and sign from the heart everytime (yes, it powers up because it makes other people join in and inspire Mei's chants even more) but for me and the discussion about being a fangirl, it was about stablishing the idols (boy band) as something so sincere, they are more than just a form to sell tickets and cds and merch, they love what they do. They sing from the heart.

[everestgale]

Two random rambly notes on EPIC: The Ithaca Saga:

1. The musical and tonal whiplash between "Odysseus" and "I Can't Help But Wonder" is so jarring in a beautiful way. We end off "Odysseus", a heavy song with (towards the end) a lot of electric elements, with the choir chanting his name, reminiscent of "No Longer You," and the screams of the suitors... only for it to lead into a very triumphant yet gentle "I Can't Help but Wonder," which then simplifies itself even further to nylon guitar and piano. And this contrast, this absolute trip between ruthlessness and such gentle reunion... it's absolutely beautiful.

2. I cannot, I repeat, I cannot get over just how masterfully "Would You Fall in Love with Me Again" is done. The fact that Penelope's first verse is not only listing all the signs of how this journey and philosophy of ruthlessness changed Odysseus, but it is also her listing all the potential reasons this man in front of her might *not* be her husband. The way Odysseus pleads with Penelope because he knows he has changed, and he knows that he is no longer the man she fell in love with... and yet he fully embraces that all the atrocities he did were for the sake of returning to her, openly, honestly, without a drop of regret. The way the olive tree story was so masterfully integrated into the song, how Odysseus sounds absolutely perplexed by her ask, how Penelope *genuinely* sounds so excited and happy once she realizes that it *is* him, the subtle half-sobbing breath before Ody songs "Penelope". The way they sing "Waiting" and "Penelope," two very commonly recurring motifs, at each other. The triumphant music that reprises "Just a Man", before turning to gentle guitar as they ask each other how long it's been and proclaim their love to each other. Oh my god, this song makes me absolutely sick-

Edit: OH, AND NOT TO MENTION, the fact that Odysseus sings "You've been waiting for love" to Penelope because he is not sure if she is waiting for *him* as he is right now, the changed man, the monster he turned into. But when Penelope sings back at Ody, after realizing it is really him, she sings "And I've been waiting for *you*". Because Odysseus, he and he alone, is her only love, and this whole time she's been waiting for him and him alone. Reaffirming that yes, Penelope has been waiting for love, but her only love is Odysseus. This song-

[lilsciencequeen]

Things I love from Hadestown: Live From London

Feel free to reblog and add what you loved

Melanie La Barrie. Just Melanie La Barrie.

Literally every single way that Dónal Finn says yes: the wee yessSSS? before Hermes warns him not to come on to strong cause he knows his Hermes is gonna warn him not to pull any nonsense. How his voice just cracks in Wedding Song, and in Promises just how proud and excited he is.

How Dónal forgets his words in Promises. It is very Orpheus and very cute.

All I've Ever Known - when he sings 'suddenly I'm holding the world in my arms'. I like to think about this a lot.

I am a Chant girlie through and through and Gloria and Zach absolutely nailed the assignment. How they are just having the most intense Lovers Quarrell. They are going off on one another and it breaks my heart I never got to see these two together.

The Fates. I love them. They are absolutely amazing in the album. Their taunts and their cackles and how they are always there just teasing everyone. It really just emphasises the part of them always being there.

Wait For Me continues to ruin me. Both versions. I will be forwarding them my therapy bills.

If It's True: Fam, I ain't doing alright. Who gave this man the right.

Road to Hell (Reprise). Gonna be honest, punching me in the face would hurt less and I am someone who speaks from experience.

Every part of this album is perfect and already most of it is in my On Repeat on Spotify. Every single member of this cast deserves a special shout out, along with everyone who worked on this show.

[eleancrvances]

just saw the new italian non-replica anastasiaaaaaa so here's some notes, the usual drill, ignore me. when i'll relisten i'll probably write some more thoughts on the new translations

at the end of the prologue the several chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the winter palace fall on the nobles (very phantom-y), who are trying to hold the door closed while snowy wind slams it open

the abandoned palace was dark and dusty, closer to what it looks like in the cartoon, and i loved it

at the end of in my dreams the curtain hanging behind anya, dmitry and vlad briefly becomes transparent and we see the ghosts of the romanovs

one stanza of once upon a december is sung by young anastasia, as the older one is surrounded by the ghosts

her father is the last one to disappear, after kissing her on the forehead she almost chases him offstage

the effects for the train were lovely, they had the lights and smoke of the locomotive, and then a velarium styled like train car windows the characters could look out of came down. very very effective

while anya sings journey to the past, dmitry and vlad are seen through a velarium behind her, bickering until vlad looks actually hurt and looks down, a little sad. when she reaches the "family" part, dmitry gives him a little hug to cheer him up, and vlad gives him something to drink :')

when she repeats the verse and mentions "love", her and dmitry are both kneeling, on opposite sides of the velarium, and they turn towards each other, though not really seeing one another :')

in a crowd of thousands is sang while anya is getting dressed for the theater behind a screen, leaning out to deliver her parts, and dmitry is waiting for her. so when she realises she remembered seeing him she walks out in the blue dress, and that's when he drops to his knees

they removed most of the swan lake waltz from quartet at the ballet and i'm not super sure i liked that, but it does sound more haunting, ending with the once upon a december melody as the ballerina fouettes in the background

the whole romanov family slowly walked in when anya played the music box for her grandmother, and when she finally called out "anastasia", it was little anya who ran to hug her :')

they cut everything to win :((((

and the press conference :(

anya doesn't step on the suitcase to kiss dmitry at the end, he's still holding it and then drops it loudly when their lips collide. super cute

(separate and numerous gleb notes incoming because they really made him extremely unwell and unhinged. also brian boccuni has a wonderful voice)

gleb meets anya for the first time at the police station! their earlier meeting in the street is cut, as is the bit about her eyes. he turns, sees her for the first time and immediately goes deer in the headlights, and it's definitely meant to be read as him being immediately conflicted: both starstruck AND beginning to confusedly recognise her

when speaking about his father's death, he starts to properly cry (and calls him "papà", so "dad", a little more affectionate than "father"). then, at the mention of the tsar, he smashes a teacup to the ground (which made the little boy next to me jump in fear)

still is staged. well. with him taking his shirt off and whipping himself. very hellfire of him

at the beginning of neva flows reprise anya tries to run past him, so he throws her to the ground, grabs her and delivers the first verses right in her face. he comes veeery close to kissing her

and then, after "i think you are anastasia", he points the gun to his head. anya screams "no" and jumps to stop him. slowly, she makes him lower it, takes it from him and leaves it on the ground

she's the one who says "good luck, comrade" before leaving to get dmitry, leaving him to turn towards the door behind which the journalists are chanting anastasia's name

[the-east-art]

Hadestown High School production thoughts:

Overall great! Awesome costuming and great work and acting and set!

There’s still several songs I prefer from the earlier albums

I don’t like the line ‘why build wall make people walk in straight lines’ I think it casts the viewer farther away from understanding Hades

Hades couldn’t get deep enough but he had great character acting! Was good at getting in real close when he was angry, looking like he was above everyone else. And then in the later sections did a great job at looking uncertain

At wait for me ii Hades gives Persephone her suitcase. Nice touch

Oh also when Persephone and Hades hug the first time they do like a collapsible prop that that a flower springs up between them and it’s just so good.

The Wind and the Elements (like the trees and the birds) were interpretive dance which actually looked really good and was done really well.

Persephone did a great job at making it clear that when she’s up she plays to them and when she’s below she plays them as well. During Our Lady she kinda just shoves around the bar patrons around, which is great contrast to Orpheus later who actually helps people up.

The ‘road to hell’ (wait for me i, ii, and doubt comes in) was largely made by planks of wood the ensemble would move. They used it to make floating stairs and obstacles for Orpheus to climb across and through. It looks really cool.

Orpheus was fantastic. Voice of an angel.

Sadly, Persephone and Hades couldn’t quite pull of How Long. Persephone had a habit of stealing time a lot, which works in her solos, but less in How Long, and Hades agains struggles to actually get into the deep register.

There was no overture, the play just starts with Hermes asking if you’re ready. Intermission ends without house lights going off and Persephone just starts while they dim.

They did the bows after Road To Hell reprise, and then did We Raise Our Cups which was fun

The energy of the intros in the first song are INFECTIOUS. Absolutely loved it.

Hades wore a green tie, a snake pin, and snakeskin shoes. Very nice. And he has the rattle for the rattlesnake part.

They used the aisles A LOT but I loved it.

In Doubt Comes In Orpheus walks around the aisles around the contorted bodies of the ensemble which was a little weird but did a good job at making it feel like they’re navigating a cave or something, and I personally thought gave the vibe of them having to navigate around dead bodies.

Road To Hell reprise has them reset the blocking and the characters do the same stuff they did for their intros - very fun

Brownie said they should have had a new person for Orpheus and Eurydice in that song to show how the cycle continues with new people and she’s so right (although I totally get that it would have thrown off the audience too much)

The fates actually played their instruments, had cool tattoos, and fiddled with their string the whole time

I’ve never realized how much the dates are the ones pushing everyone to the dated outcome until this.

I also never realized that Chant ii ending is Hades tlaking to Eurydice

Oh when Eurydice speaks up Hades eyes her up and down before taking Persephone on the train

They had a whole scaffolding for Hell which was great.

Oh oh! In the Orpheus and Eurydice duets they have them on a wheeled tables that goes in circles. And they brought down ‘stars’ as strung up lights (which looked way better than just a light projection tbh)

[saixria]

Ok I’ve been busy with family on Christmas but now I can rant about Ithaca saga song by song! Spoiler under the cut since some people might wanna avoid spoilers before the livestream :)

The Challenge: BEAUTIFUL. EXACTLY AS ID HOPED. ANNA SLAYED, I LOVE HER VOICE HOW SILKY MATURE IT IS!! AND THE BELT IN THE END?? AAAOOOUHHHH I HAVE ASCENDED!!! I also love how she’s all alone in the song, she doesn’t let us in on her plan, she doesn’t let us know the bow can only be strung by Odysseus, she talks to the suitors but never directly interacts with any. It really emphasizes how isolated she’s been all these years, without the only one she loves and matches her wit.

Hold them down: Absolute banger. I am a SUCKER for these call and response type songs especially when like the response changes a little to completely change the context of the call? DELICIOUS. This is why I love Antinuous’ songs. ITS SUCH A GOOD VILLAIN SONG ITS INTIMIDATING AND CATCHY AND ARYON’S VOCALS AHHHH I DIDNT EXPECT ANTINUOUS TO DIE RIGHT THERE

Odysseus: ODY FULLY SNAPPED. HSARDMK THE OPEN ARMS JORGE WHEN I FUCKING GET YOU JORGE- The way Odysseus’ name is chanted in the danger motif, the way you can hardly distinguish which parts are his cunning motif and which parts are the danger motif, because he is the danger now. This is what everything has been building up to, why Odysseus’ motif has the same notes as the danger motif. HE IS THE DANGER NOW. THE SUITORS POPPED OFF!! AND ATHENA’S MOTIF AND QUICK THOUGT SFX AHHHH SHES HELPING TELEMACHUS 😭😭😭😭 SHES NOW ABLE TO PERFECTLY COMPLIMENT HIS ABILITIES!!!!! I have some other predictions for the animatic of this — I BET ODYSSEUS IS GONNA BURN THE SUITORS ALIVE. That’s the really dark thing Jorge warned us about, that’s why the suitors were screaming in the end, and it fits the NLY official animatic where it looks like a crowd being burned by fire. “Covered in red” the red isn’t just blood but fire.

Ichbw: mico and Jorge absolutely COOOOOKED the EMOTION, THEY SOUND AMAZING, and their HARMONIZING WAS BEAUTIFUL CONSIDERING THIS SHOW HAVING ESTABLISHED HARMONIZING AS A WAY TO SHOW CLOSENESS!!! Ok. With that out of the way. I. *deep breath AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCK I wanna make a separate post for this song, because HHHNNNNN ODYSSEUS ATHENA 😭😭😭 look, I’m coping really hard, trust me they hugged in the pause before ody starts singing. They can still work this out post canon guys trust—

WYFILWMA: everything I wanted and more. I LOVE Jorge belting the second chorus instead of the soft falsetto of the first. The Ruthlessness -> thunderbringer -> NSFLY motifs when he talked about his experiences?? PENELOPE USING THE WEDDING BED TO PROVE TO ODYSSEUS THAT HES STILL HIM, INSTEAD OF LIKE THE OG WHERE IT WAS JUST A TEST??? YOU SMART BASTARD. THE JUSY A MAN REPRISE I ASCENDED AND THEIR HARMONIZING AGAIN!!!! PENELOPE’S INTENSITY, HER RESOLVE IN TELLING ODYSSEUS THAT HE WAS STILL HIM “I GUESS THAT MAKES HIM YOU” I LOVE THEM SO MUCH THEH DESERVE EACH OTHER AHHHHHH THEY AGAIN SOUNDED SPECTACULAR!

All in all, I have been emotionally devastated in more ways than one. I will be making separate posts to rant about ICHBW and another animatic live stream-specific bingo bc my old bingo was SOO OFF LMFAO

[disastergenius]

Observations/my favorite things in Hadestown Live from London:

Act 1:

Melanie La Barrie's interpretation of Hermes really works for me, it's my favorite version so far

Caribbean Hermes! Irish Orpheus!! Northern Eurydice!! love that they got to keep their accents

Orpheus's "Yes..." in Come Home With Me

Orpheus's laugh as Eurydice accuses of him being a liar and player; the playfulness of the interaction is so cute and helps balance their dynamic (you get why she would actually want to give him the time of day), and she returns the laugh at the end

Grace Hodgett-Young and Dónal Finn both have absolutely gorgeous singing and speaking voices

"and the sugar from the maple" line sounds so good

the voice crack "Yes!" (Wedding Song) gets me every time

more giggling from Orpheus and Eurydice

Gloria Onitiri's Persephone is so good! Her characterization is fun and I like her vocal choices

singing "who has finally returned to us / with wine enough to share" (Livin' It Up On Top)

I've loved every single version of All I've Ever Known I've ever heard

knowing that Dónal's favorite line is "But when I saw you all alone against the sky/It's like I've known you all along"

the strings solo is beautiful (All I've Ever Known)

Zachary James is really good as Hades, I like that he's not trying to do a Patrick Page impression

Removing Epic II means we miss the best transition of the show of Epic II into Chant I

Grace Hodgett-Young has such a strong and consistent voice; Eurydice's desperation in Chant really comes through

I have also never heard a bad version of Now That the Chips are Down

Dónal's Orpheus sounds significantly sadder and more angry at himself when he realizes why Eurydice left and as such, he sounds much more desperate to go after her. He also sounds more unsure as he starts walking but the strength in his voice is perfect

not gonna lie, I usually skip Why We Build the Wall. It's fine as a song and well sung, and I understand why it's there narratively and it helps worldbuild Hadestown before we see it through Eurydice's eyes, but it just does nothing for me (Act I functionally ends at Wait For Me)

the chorus getting quiet at the end of Why We Build the Wall is a good choice

Act II:

jumping straight to If It's True on this album is crazy. I'm aware that since it cut songs it's not meant to be fully representative of the show, but it really changes the listening experience if you skip to the middle of Act 2

Dónal's If It's True is devastating. What can I say that hasn't already been said: it's the perfect mix of sad and angry and unifying for the workers. Righteously angry union leader Orpheus is the best

Epic III fantastic as always

Epic III lyric rewrite is fine. I still like the og version (from the off-broadway version) and I get why it keeps changing but I do think the lyrics are not as inventive

Epic III They Danced instrumental/vocal is also beautiful I love it so much

giggles in Promises! Getting flustered as the audience cheered

Promises is the last time we see Orpheus and Eurydice happy together and Grace Hodgett-Young and Dónal Finn play it so well, the emotions are all there

Wait for Me Reprise

Leaving off Doubt Comes In is criminal, I'm so sorry, Dónal's version is great and equally devastating and this is the song I'm the saddest was excluded

Road to Hell Reprise continues to be sad and the emotional whiplash without having Doubt Comes In is wild

Overall:

Fantastic album, I love this cast and glad they got a recording. Mourning the cut songs (also they cut so many Hades and Persephone songs; they have none of the ones they sing together), living in denial that they have them recorded from this performance and will release them someday.

[thearcanecat]

Hadestown tour!!!! Absolutely amazing all time favorite musical. Some details I noticed or liked!

Hermes and Eurydice hug at the top of the show.

The Audience was too quick on the “aight” and Hermes like wiggled his finger at us and made us do it again.

When Eurydice asks if anybody has a match, Orpheus scrambled to find one and tries to give it to her but she took Hermes’ already.

Harmonies! I don’t know all the technical terms but everyone sounded amazing!

Really loved Megan Colton as Eurydice. She comes off more teasing in Come Home With Me. It read more playful than the obc which I really liked. Made their romance more believable and less of a 180. I don’t know that’s the one part of the obc caste recording that never really clicked with me.

During Epic 1, Persephone and then Hades stop to look at Orpheus. Persephone stands up to look over the railing. Then when she’s getting ready to leave, she tries to get Hades’ attention. Touches his arm, stares in his direction. But he only looks once she’s turned her back on him. And the spotlight follows Persephone and doesn’t come back to him, leaving him in shadow until it’s time to collect Persephone.

Orpheus did a little jump to get in between Eurydice and Hades and when the workers are getting ready to leave, Eurydice makes to follow them it Orpheus stops her, wrapping her in a hug. This is reversed later when Orpheus confronts Hades and Eurydice tries to stop him.

Towards the end of Chant a little before“people starve” Eurydice collapses and her position completes a circle the workers have formed. Like she’s already one of them.

More music appreciation. Just everything about it.

They don’t have the sinking middle part of the stage, but I really love how they adapted. It leaned into Hermes as psychopomp. He stood jangling a coin purse but when Eurydice approaches they both stop, recognizing each other. And it’s Eurydice to reaches out to stop the coin into his bag, a single clink on a silent stage. She makes her choice on her own and she forces Hermes to accept it, even if he doesn’t want to. She trips slightly walking up the stairs, and though she looks back several times, she makes no move to return.

Wait for me is so good. The harmonies and Orpheus’ solo at the end. The build up of all the instruments.

In Why We Build the Wall Hades had a bit of an echo/reverb, like his words were being broadcast across the city. Hades also had a phenomenal voice and he shouted a good few of his lines. But then the final free most of the big instruments cut out and it was just so ethereal. That little of bit of hope that makes you see why the workers buy into and believe it.

Persephone also amazing! Really liked her voice and she was great at being that bit of sunlight in Hades.

Hermes took his jacket off for the second act and looked awesome.

Flowers is always so good. Just Eurydice center stage in grief.

In Chant (reprise) the workers form a statue and our main cast cycles in and out, pushing each other out of the way to stand in the center.

During Epic III Hades moves around s the stage and it’s left to interpretation if he’s advancing to hurt someone or if he’s trying to flee. Persephone gets in front of him and blocks his path, and Hermes reaches out as if to stop him.

Promises really showed Orpheus and Eurydice’s reversal of outlooks. Eurydice is so confident that Hades will let them go, while Orpheus keeps questioning things. Eurydice dances around the stage, talking to the workers while Orpheus stands still.

The lighting for the whole show was amazing. Big flashes when the music swells. Warm tones for most scenes. But then Doubt Comes In and the stage is dark. Orpheus is bathed in cool light, Eurydice cloaked in shadow. The Fates float around with their lanterns.

And after he turns around, Eurydice sounds so distraught. Like of course it’s me why wouldn’t it be me. And she’s carried off by two of the chorus who lift her up. And Orpheus lays crumpled in grief as Hermes sings without music.

Everyone did amazing I love this show so much. @nabwastaken (cause you wanted to hear about this)

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

You. You get me.

Ascended!Astarion allows Tav to go out and live amongst the mortals for six months, playing their songs and living how they want, but always comes to retrieve them when the summer starts (the days get longer and food will be more difficult to find). And as the years go by, their time above grows shorter and shorter, leading to there being a yearly argument between them. But in an inverse of Hades and Persephone’s argument in Chant, Tav’s questions are like this, “Gods, Astarion, why must you have this blasted place be so damn cold?!” | “Oh please, darling, you never could stand for it be so disgustingly hot.”

It’s not until Astarion hears the song Tav won him over with so long ago wafting through the air as he hunts near a tavern that he’s reminded of just how much he loved them…and all the wrong that he’s done by them.

- Hadestown!Anon

Original Post | Astarion x Evie (Ace!Tav) Masterlist

Exactly this!

I was actually thinking it could be the same sweltering heat as it’s his misguided attempt to replicate the world above and the summer they seems to always leave him for. Evie/Tav berates him, “it ain’t right and it ain’t natural”. But Ascended!Astarion always argues back “Lover, everything I do, I do it for the love of you”.

Honestly you can keep the same beats of the show as Astarion has expanded his control of the underdark. People above sometimes go down below to strike a deal, becoming his spawn in exchange for what they think will be an end to their suffering.

Eurydice is one of them and Orpheus, a bard, goes down below to get her back.

Orpheus then plays the same song Evie/Tav played for Astarion all those years ago. They never wrote it down, all the best songs live in memory. It has been passed down through the years until nobody knew where it came from. Astarion hears it and remembers who he was, who Evie/Tav was to him. And then they dance.

.

.

.

Also, as an aside, as much as I love Chant (Reprise) on the Original Broadways cast recording I keep thinking about Chant II from the 2017 live recording. Specifically Persephone singing to Eurydice which is cut from the official Broadway run.

Love was when he came to me

Begging on his bended knees

To please have pity on his heart

And let him lay me in the dirt

I felt his arms around me then

We didn’t need a wedding bed

Dark seeds scattered on the ground

Wild birds were flying around

That’s when I became his wife

But that was in another life

That was in another world

When I was a young girl!