John Lazenby
The theater programs of U-32 and Montpelier high schools put together one of the most applauded and well-attended performances in recent central Vermont theater history when together they staged “Hadestown” (Teen Edition) over the past week and a half at U-32.
Onstage at Hadestown
There were three months of auditions, rehearsals, set building, and costuming; 48 actors and about 35 behind-the-scenes tech people; seven shows, all but one sold out; and a visit one night from “Hadestown” co-creators Anais Mitchell and Ben Matchstick, along with cast members from the original show.
For Mitchell and Matchstick, it was a full-circle moment. “Hadestown” originated in Montpelier and the Langdon Street Cafe in the mid-2000s. It began to develop in workshops at Montpelier High School (MHS) and performances in Barre before taking off on the long journey that would take it to London’s West End, Broadway, and elsewhere, winning eight Tonys and a Grammy along the way.
It has been at least 30 years since MHS and U-32 combined for a theater production. In addition to the talent, heart, and professionalism of the young actors and the tech crew who made it all happen, other key people included co-directors Erin Galligan-Baldwin (U-32) and Maren Langdon Spillane (MHS); Ben Matchstick, whose advice and work nurtured the production; co-music directors Anne Decker and Sadie Jones; tech director David Sanguinetti and assistant Matt Payne; costume designers Amy Papineau and Kaisey Wheeler; and choreographers Sierra Norford and Heather Clark-Warner.
Backstage at Hadestown
Actors and musicians are what the audience saw and heard during the recent performances of Hadestown at U-32 high school, but behind the scenes a combined U-32 and Montpelier High School crew of more than 30 was working hard to make sure the cast could shine and be seen and heard as it was meant to be. Before the show techs checked the lights and sound and miked and costumed more than 40 cast members, among many other duties. During the performance, they made sure that cues were followed, that the lights came on in the right place at the right time and that the fog machine wafted when it should. Stage managers made sure it all ran smoothly.
Click here for a gallery with more photos from the show, onstage and off.
Aliza Azarian (Eurydice) and Russell Clar (Orpheus). 
Annabelle Morland, Hazel Singer, and Nico Chan at the mixing board.
Cal Boyd (Hades) and Maya Kotkes-Cummings (Persephone) preside over Hadestown.
Fionna Shores and Lena Donofrio apply makeup before the show.
