Hadestown will make its anticipated South Florida premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from December 6–11. Hadestown is the most honored show of the 2018-2019 Broadway season. In addition to the show’s eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, it has been honored with 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. This acclaimed new show by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always. The national tour includes Miami native Alex Lugo (Swing, u/s Eurydice) as part of the cast.
Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.
The North American touring production of Hadestown stars Nathan Lee Graham as Hermes, Chibueze Ihuoma as Orpheus, Maria-Christina Oliveras as Persephone, Matthew Patrick Quinn as Hades, and Hannah Whitley as Eurydice.
The Fates are played by Dominique Kempf, Belén Moyano, Nyla Watson. The Workers Chorus features Jordan Bollwerk, Lindsey Hailes, Courtney Lauster, Eddie Noel Rodríguez, and Jamari Johnson Williams. Swings for the tour include Tyla Collier, Ian Coulter-Buford, Alex Lugo, J. Antonio Rodriguez, and Cecilia Trippiedi.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Nathan Lee Graham who plays the lead of Hermes, for this exclusive Hotspots interview.
At what age did you begin performing?
Oh my gosh it was a long time ago. My grandparents and parents got me started in this business because it was something I was good at, and they thought, why not encourage it.
What was your first professional gig?
A production of “The Wiz,” and I was a munchkin. They had some local hires, and I was one of them.
When did you know performing would be your career?
I am not really sure when that happened, but I know it didn’t come till much later. I mean I had always done it, but to consider it to be an actual career that paid my bills was a completely different ballgame.
Hadestown has taken Broadway by storm, is there additional pressure touring in this show?
God no, if anything it’s the opposite, because it’s so beloved you feel a sense of honor and privilege to do it right. If anything, it’s encouraging pressure. You don’t have to convince people the piece is good; you just have to do it well.
Other than this one, what has been your favorite role so far?
I don’t have a favorite, but I do have a theme. I played the MC in Cabaret and I am doing Hermes now…. They are roles that guide the audience through or become the moral center of the audience.
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but want to)?
It used to be the leading player in Pippin, but now I am too old to play that part. I am working smarter not harder these days. At some point I would love to play James Baldwin. Also, I would love to play some non-gender conforming role. A role that is other worldly like a mystical creature that is genderless.
Is it hard being on the road all the time?
I haven’t been on tour since 98, so its new again for me. I like doing these week runs in different cities as there is this excitement of going to a new town. What’s difficult is the 8 shows a week, plus all the Covid Protocols and keeping myself healthy while traveling. I take this very seriously.
How well do you and your castmates get along?
OMG the show wouldn’t be as good if we didn’t all get along so well. We are a family that takes care of each other. I am such a big team player when it comes to casts, and I am all about putting out the best product with the best team. The way to do that is for everyone to get along and be there for each other.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Elegant, patient, and observant
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy watching great documentaries and other great work on screen. I love going to the theater and the opera. Hadestown will have a short Thanksgiving Break, and I am definitely going to see a Broadway show and to the Met. I also like to hike and walk a lot.
What should our readers expect from this touring company of “Hadestown”?
Pure excitement. It’s so suspenseful you want to follow every character and find out what happens next. Its such an exciting show it will move you in every way possible.
For more information on Nathan, follow him at: Instagram.com/nathanleegraham
The Grammy winning Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording is now available at Hadestown.com/music. The album is produced by David Lai, Sickafoose, and Mitchell on Sing It Again Records.
For more information on Hadestown, please visit www.hadestown.com/tour.
Tickets to Hadestown in Miami are $35-$165 and may be purchased now at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at arshtcenter.org.
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Dates: Tuesday, January 3 – Sunday, January 8, 2023. Tickets start at $40*
*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit kravis.org for up-to-date information.
