The Theatre Lab’s production of Hadestown: Teen Edition, which ran for one weekend at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, is nothing short of impressive. Presented by this year’s first cohort of the 2025 Musical Theatre Institute for Teens (MTIT), this ambitious retelling of Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony- and Grammy-winning musical pulses with heart, professionalism, and enthusiasm from its teenage cast and its audience.
For those unfamiliar, Hadestown intertwines the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice with those of Hades and Persephone, reimagining the underworld as a Depression-era industrial wasteland, where love is tested by poverty, power, and fate. It’s an emotionally rich and musically complex show that’s a bold undertaking for any company — let alone one composed of performers aged 13 to 19. But under the direction of Theatre Lab co-founder Deb Gottesman, the young cast works hard to meet the challenge of an incredibly complex production.
From the opening number, the ensemble of over 30 performers commands attention. Music director Lucia LaNave deserves high praise for guiding the cast through Mitchell’s folk-blues-jazz score, maintaining the haunting lyricism that makes Hadestown so memorable. The band adds texture and soul to each number, from the tender “Come Home With Me” to the rousing “Why We Build the Wall.” With an ensemble of that size, the stage at times felt crowded in both its choreography and harmonic output, but given the priorities of the Lab, many of the performers were given a moment to shine, whether they were students on track to a professional attempt at the industry, or students who were brand new to the stage. The production was absolutely bolstered by a supportive crowd of family and friends. And obviously, it’s always fun to watch your friends and family on a stage as cool as Atlas.
Special commendation goes to the young performers in the leading roles. Orpheus (Charles Green) and Eurydice (Reagan Scott) are strong presences, imbuing their doomed romance with both youthful optimism and heartbreaking inevitability. Scott is an excellent singer and navigates her character’s journey to the underworld with a sympathetic heart. Persephone (Mayumi Gant) imbues her character with internalized fury as she navigates a controlling portrayal of Hades (Santiago De Leon Pereira).
The production also benefits from a cohesive unity. The cast has posted on TikTok their joy in working on this production. Whether playing the omniscient Fates (Ayla Collins, Claudia Cutting, Tabitha Voth), the oppressed workers of the underworld, or bustling townsfolk, each cast member contributes to the cohesive atmosphere that Hadestown requires — a world where the mythic feels grounded, and the personal feels epic. As Hermes, a role where different actors traded off the role at different points (Carrie Johnson, Micah Thomas, Sev Conley, Maggie Campione), all brought a different and interesting perspective to the canonically ephemeral messenger of the gods.
The lighting (Ben Harvey) helped in creating that grounded world, reds and shadows for the industrialized underworld, brighter blues and momentary flash of brightness for the spring that Persephone brings when she gets a brief reprieve from the underworld.
But perhaps most moving is the way this production showcases what arts education can achieve. The MTIT’s four-week intensive doesn’t just culminate in a musical — it results in a fully realized work of art where young performers are empowered to take on mature material with integrity and artistry. The Theatre Lab has long been a leader in this space, and this staging of Hadestown: Teen Edition reinforces why.
In a summer filled with high-octane blockbusters, this youth-driven production offers something deeper: a reminder that the power of live theater lies not just in spectacle, but in story, connection, and the belief that even the youngest voices can carry ancient truths.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission.
Hadestown: Teen Edition played July 10 to 12, 2025, presented by The Theatre Lab performing at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington, DC.
CAST
Orpheus – Charles Green
Eurydice – Reagan Scott
Persephone – Mayumi Gant
Hades – Santiago de Leon Pereira
Hermes – Carrie Johnson
Hermes – Micah Thomas
Hermes – Sev Conley
Hermes – Maggie Campione
Fate 1 – Clotho – Claudia Cutting
Fate 2 – Lachesis – Tabitha Voth
Fate 3 – Atropos – Ayla Collins
Ensemble – Kayleigh Berkoski
Ensemble – Cameron Best
Ensemble – Haya Bocoum
Ensemble – Joy Charbonneau
Ensemble – Clara Cortelletti
Ensemble – Juliana Cortelletti
Ensemble – Deacon Crenshaw
Ensemble – Emma Davidoff
Ensemble – Baslel Dinessa
Ensemble – Noah Golden
Ensemble – Annalise Grindstaff
Ensemble – Oliver Harman
Ensemble – Laney Hart
Ensemble – Zora Hollingsworth
Ensemble – Caroline Hutchins
Ensemble – Sean Keeley
Ensemble – Daniel Levine
Ensemble – Ada O’Connor
Ensemble – Onyx Shareno
Ensemble – Sonia Skolnik
Ensemble – Abigail Smith
Ensemble – Isabella Swingler
Ensemble – Naiah Weetjens
Understudy for Orpheus – Oliver Harman
Understudy for Eurydice – Kayleigh Berkoski
Understudy for Persephone – Joy Charbonneau
Understudy for Hades – Basleel Dinessa
Understudy for Hermes – Deacon Crenshaw
Understudy for Hermes – Cameron Best
Understudy for Hermes – Laney Hart
Understudy for Hermes – Sean Keeley
Understudy for Fate 1 – Clara Cortelletti
Understudy for Fate 2 – Annalise Grindstaff
Understudy for Fate 3 – Caroline Hutchins
Dance Captain – Emma Davidoff
Dance Captain – Haya Bocoum
CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION
Program Director – Deb Gottesman
Music Director – Lucia LaNave
Choreographer – Sarah Frances Williams
Assistant Director – Sayaka Yamamoto
Assistant Choreographer – Mayumi Gant
Stage Manager – Justine Morris
Production Manager – Angelo Merenda
Technical Director – Taariq Saadiq
Set Designer – Reuben Rosenthal
Costume Designer – Maria Bissex
Lighting Designer – Ben Harvey
Audio Engineer – Kiefer Cure
Carpenter – Martin Gardner
Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager / Run Crew Chief – Jo’Lauren Peele
Rehearsal Assistant Stage Manager / Run Crew Chief – Dahvi Walker
Light Board Operator – Jaye Overton
Sound Board Operator – Zhy Strowbridge
Spotlight Operator – Velli Jones
Spotlight Operator – Dante Jones
Spotlight Operator – Randi Lee
Spotlight Operator – Hakeem Ford
Fly Crew – Billy Barnes
Fly Crew – Malcolm Eckel
Qlab Operator / A2 – Shiloh Coleman
A2 – Adam Franks
A2 / Wardrobe Crew – Tyler Lindsey
Wardrobe Crew – Joseph Jackson
Wardrobe Crew – Grace Million
Run Crew – Carlos Hernandez Jr.
Run Crew – Nicholas Montgomery
Run Crew – Mahdi Shakur
Run Crew – D’Nya Slaughter
Run Crew – Natalie Pertz
