Beyond the Underworld: Tony Award-winning 'Hadestown' brings national tour to Popejoy Hall for seven performances

Patience and perseverance pays off – just ask Will Mann and J. Antonio Rodriguez.

The two actors are traveling the country as part of the national tour of “Hadestown.”

Each performer has his own journey, yet they are similar.

A few years ago, Mann was the understudy for Hermes, and would often get the opportunity to play the role.

Earlier this year, Mann was promoted to bringing Hermes to life on stage full time.

“There’s been a bit of an adjustment and I take it seriously,” Mann says. “Hermes is a little different than anything I’ve ever played. He’s the narrator and takes care of everyone on stage. His main focus is on the story. It’s special.”

“Hadestown” will make Popejoy Hall its home base as it settles in for a seven-performance stay in Albuquerque beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 6. It will run through Sunday, Dec. 10.

“Hadestown” follows two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.

It invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.

The musical picked up eight Tony Awards in 2019, a Grammy Award in 2020, as well as winning four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Beyond the Underworld: Tony Award-winning 'Hadestown' brings national tour to Popejoy Hall for seven performances

The North American touring production of “Hadestown” stars Amaya Braganza as Eurydice, Lana Gordon as Persephone, Mann as Hermes, Matthew Patrick Quinn as Hades, and Rodriguez as Orpheus.

The Fates are played by Marla Louissaint, Lizzie Markson and Hannah Schreer. The Workers Chorus features Sevon Askew, Jamal Lee Harris, Courtney Lauster, Daniel Tracht and Racquel Williams. Swings for the tour include Ian Coulter-Buford, KC Dela Cruz, Colin LeMoine and Cecilia Trippiedi.

“Throughout its development, ‘Hadestown’ has been deeply influenced by audiences around the world,” says producers Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold and Tom Kirdahy. “We are thrilled and humbled to now share this beautiful story of hope, faith and rebirth – written and directed by two amazingly talented women and brought to life by a diverse company of performers – with audiences across North America.”

The acclaimed musical is by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell, and developed with innovative director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin.

“Hadestown” marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the solo author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics and book, and is the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat.

The show opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway on April 17, 2019, where it played sold-out houses nightly before performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Hadestown” resumed performances Sept. 2, 2021, as one of the first musicals to reopen on Broadway, where it continues to play today. The North American Tour opened at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15, 2021.

For Rodriguez, playing Orpheus, has been an opportunity of a lifetime.

“The first time I did this show, I was swing and I had never felt that supported,” Rodriguez says. “To me, this has been a big deal because stepping into Orpheus’ shoes was important because I was the first Latino to do so. I felt pressure, yet so much support from everyone.”

About a year later, Rodriguez was promoted to the role full time.

“I never expected how the fan base really loves this show,” Rodriguez says. “I used to hop on the Reddits and see how serious they are. I don’t do that anymore.”

Being part of the Tony Award-winning show isn’t lost on Rodriguez.

“I’m a Dreamer,” he says. “I came to the states when I was 2 years old. I really like to bring in the aspects of what it was like as a child and having the attitude that anything is possible with positivity and hard work. As we get older, we forget those values because we see what the world can be like. By stepping into those shoes, I got to find hope and positivity. I’ve learned a lot from Orpheus. It helps me out in my day.”

Rodriguez knows the importance of being in the role.

“I didn’t see people like me performing like this when I was growing up,” he says. “It’s really cool to know that I’m helping carry the torch for Latinos.”

Mann is grateful to have the opportunity to be himself on stage.

He says the production allows room for every performer to bring themselves to the roles.

“When a show wins Grammys and Tonys, they want to replicate it on the road,” Mann says. “ ‘Hadestown’ didn’t do that. They told me that they trust the material and the words and music. It’s the marriage of those with the performer that makes the magic. At the core, the production is genius, and we bring what we can. Magic will happen once you let it and the whole team trusts us all.”