Hadestown, the groundbreaking contemporary musical that blends folk and jazz music with a powerful re-interpretation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, is the perfect show to take on the road. The musical started as a concept album that composer and folk artist Anaïs Mitchell played at bars and music venues well before it became a Tony- and Grammy–winning musical. As the national tour returns to the National Theatre this week (it last stopped here in 2023), members of the company from DC, Maryland, and Virginia reflect on their experiences.
Many of these DMV artists are making their DC debuts after growing up as young artists in the area. For one, it’s a homecoming after working with DC theaters and another tour that came to the National. I caught up with members of the Hadestown company with DMV roots in advance of the tour’s arrival. These responses were lightly edited.
MICHELLE E. CARTER (Swing, Co-Dance Captain)
Introduce yourself: My name is Michelle E. Carter (she/her). I am a swing, understudy for Persephone and the Fates, and also dance captain (I cover nine roles total). I’ve been on the tour since this version began in 2024. My hometown is Silver Spring, Maryland, but nowadays I call New York City home.
Share a core memory of how DMV theater shaped you: I grew up studying dance from a young age, which transitioned into competitive dance throughout my school years, but it was at my local high school that the musical theater bug first bit me. I’m an alumna of James Hubert Blake High School in Montgomery County, and I will forever thank my lucky stars that I was one of the many students that theater teacher Mr. Michel D’Anna crossed paths with there.
I enlisted in my high school’s musical as a freshman as a way to form connections and make friends, but that man saw things in me that I didn’t even see in myself. He gave me opportunity after opportunity to play wonderful roles (Elle Woods in Legally Blonde was my favorite), to choreograph, to direct, to build and paint sets, to run a sound board, and I eventually realized that I had spent my life up to that point in a dance studio, but theater was where I belonged. Mr. D’Anna was the first one to tell me that I should consider going to college for theater and that he really thought I could make a career out of this. That vote of confidence is the main thing that convinced me to do this professionally. Mr. D will always be more than a teacher; he’s family.
What it means to you to perform in DC: In addition to growing up in the DC area, I’ve worked at several DC area theaters (A Chorus Line at Signature Theatre; Matilda and Elf at Olney Theatre Center), not to mention that my fiancé, Stephen C. Kallas, is currently in Signature’s Fiddler on the Roof. I also toured with the musical CATS as Jennyanydots when it played the National in 2023.
Playing that stage, looking out into the audience and seeing my people, will always feel like home. It means everything to me that I get to come back to the place that raised me and show everyone what I’ve worked so hard to achieve and how I’ve used all the tools they’ve given me. I’m also incredibly excited for Baltimore when we play the Hippodrome in March (go Ravens!), as it will be my first time ever stepping foot on that stage.
What do you love the most about being part of the Hadestown tour? Watching how it affects our audiences. It’s an incredibly beautiful thing, going to every corner of this country and getting to see how our timeless tale touches all the different people who come to see us.
Swinging Hadestown is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my career, but it’s also one of the most fulfilling. Growth doesn’t happen when we’re comfortable, and going on for any of my nine tracks at the drop of a hat (sometimes mid-show!) is just about the biggest exercise in trusting yourself. I’ve learned throughout this process that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. I’m not just that little dancer girl anymore, and I’m loving every second.
RYAAN FARHADI (Worker 5/Hades cover)
Introduce yourself: Ryaan Farhadi, he/him, Worker 5 and Hades cover. I’ve been with the Hadestown tour for a month now. I was born and raised in Vienna, Virginia, and am currently based in New York City.
Share a core memory of how DMV theater shaped you: Growing up in theater in the DMV was a privilege because of the wealth of opportunities in the area. After I started performing in middle and high school, I quickly branched out into community theater and got cast in a show at Reston Community Players, which was the longest run of a show that I had ever done and taught me a lot about working on a larger-scale production.
Shortly after that, I did Signature Theatre’s StageOne summer intensive. I had been seeing incredible productions at that theater for years, but getting to receive coaching from some of the DMV’s greatest performers and work in that iconic space was such a gratifying experience to have as a high schooler. It taught me a lot of practical knowledge that cemented my vision to pursue this career.
What it means to you to perform in DC: Playing the National Theatre, where I saw almost every touring production as a kid, has been a dream for years. I waited in so many lobby lotteries to see tours and out-of-town tryouts. To be on that same stage with one of my favorite musicals is a privilege. I can’t wait to have my family and friends in the house and share this moment with them, especially my parents, who drove my sister and me in and out of the city so many times to see shows.
This is my first time playing DC proper. Given that it’s only a month into my run, my goals are still focused on understanding and growing into the world of the show, in my worker track and as Hades. I discover so many new details every day, and the learning is ongoing, so I’m excited to continue that journey. In terms of favorite spots, I’ve already told my castmates that I’ll be supplying pastries from Best Buns Bakery in Tysons.
What do you love the most about being part of the Hadestown tour? I love so much of this experience, both in the amazing people I get to share it with and getting to be a part of this beautiful musical. Being in this show has been a goal of mine since I saw it on Broadway in 2019, so being brought into the company by the same creative team is such a privilege.
I also get to cover one of my dream roles and have so much fun stepping into Hades’ shoes. I’ve never experienced love like this from a fanbase before, and it is so special to engage with the fans about our performances and witness firsthand the impact this show has on people who see it, whether it be for the first time or 20th. This show has taught me so much about myself as a person and performer, and I am so excited to continue growing with it and sharing it around the country!
RICKY CARDENAS (Swing/Orpheus understudy)
Introduce yourself: Ricky Cardenas, he/him/his, swing and understudy for Orpheus. I was born and raised in Clarksburg, Maryland, and have been with Hadestown on tour for about a year! When not on the road, I’m based out of New York City.
Share a core memory of how DMV theater shaped you: I was very fortunate to spend some time with Young Artists of America as a high schooler. This program saw me for who I was and fostered a great community where I learned so much of what I know now. I will always remember doing a production of Merrily We Roll Along and having that lightbulb moment where I fully realized this could be more than just an after-school activity.
What it means to you to perform in DC: It means the world to come back home and share the stage with my fellow castmates from the DMV area. It’s truly special working toward something for so long and being able to come back home to show everyone what you’ve been up to. I’m really excited for this story to reach DC audiences and for people to see how the world could be, despite the way it is.
COLE P. ABOD (Music Director)
Introduce yourself: Hello! I’m Cole Abod, music director and conductor on the Hadestown tour, and I’ve been with this crew for just over a year now. I’m originally from North Potomac, Maryland, but am now based in New York City.
Share a core memory of how DMV theater shaped you: I mostly grew up playing classical and jazz piano, but as a kid, I got to watch my older brother perform as an actor and dancer, in high school and as part of Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre. When it was my turn to start high school, I decided to try out for my school’s [Wootton High School] pit orchestra for Ragtime, and my theater world really opened up from there after playing that opening piano solo every night (for one whole weekend!).
I was pretty smitten with theater from that point on, but have always had a special spot for shows with jazz influences. Hadestown certainly fits that bill. I also have such fond memories of seeing shows with my family at Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, and Arena Stage over the years. Growing up surrounded by such a wealth of theater artists was an incredible privilege.
What it means to you to perform in DC: This is my first professional theater gig in the DC area, so getting to play a show back home for the first time since high school is so special. My whole extended family (over 40 relatives!) are from the DC area, so getting to perform in front of them for the first time in almost a decade is incredibly exciting.
Hadestown is based on intertwining Greek myths, but it’s so topical to today and speaks to so many societal issues in our political sphere: poverty, the climate crisis, and finding hope in hopelessness. DC is primed to receive art about politics, and Hadestown is no exception. This show resonates all around the country, but I’m ready for DC to experience this show again.
What do you love the most about being part of the Hadestown tour? Hadestown has such a wide following across the country, and getting to bring this show to so many cities, big and small, is incredibly rewarding. People are so excited to see the show, no matter where we are. The energy is electric every night, and people from everywhere are so invested in the story we’re telling. That’s a magical feeling I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Hadestown plays through November 23, 2025, at The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with additional 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Purchase tickets online or at the National Theatre box office.
The cast and creative credits for the North American tour of Hadestown can be found here.
SEE ALSO:
‘Hadestown’ returns to DC this fall at National Theatre (news story, August 15, 2025)
