There’s a difference between being good and being great. Pitman High’s Theatre Department has continued to build a reputation under Director Patrick Norris as a top-tier, truly great program for producing A-list performances and pushing their talent to the best of their abilities.
Shows like Little Shop of Horrors (2021), Spelling Bee (2022), and Chicago (2024) sold out in weeks, thanks to the quality of the productions and support of the community. But who knew Hadestown would sell out faster than the average pop concert?
THE REVIEW:
Am I glazing? Yes, I am. What are you going to do about it? Pitman Theatre Department’s Hadestown is honestly the best high school production I have seen. I mean it when I say this was really good for a high school production.
Our main couple, the tragic lovers Orpheus and Eurydice (played by Jeffery Kern and Anahi Cuevas).
Anahi…What can I even say? What can I say that already hasn’t been said? I was expecting to be blown away— I knew I was going to be blown away and I was.
I really liked Jeffery’s version of Orpheus because it was so Orpheus— and he had that perfect Orpheus-ness to it. Boyishly awkward, naive, and a romantic with every fiber of his being.
Persephone and Hades (played by Emma Smith and Brody Riddle). Persephone is an alcoholic and Hades is a cold kingpin. Their love had seemingly withered away like everything else when it comes to immortality.
Live on the set you could see the two of them playing chess on their side of the stage.
Emma’s performance immediately captures your attention (don’t even get me started on her voice). Brody was shaking down the scene just like Hades would (I felt like a proud father when Brody was up there and I don’t even know that kid).
Starting the musical and ending it off could only be done by Melissa Ruiz. The same goes for the Fates (played by Liana Torsen, Mia Santoya, Bella Barajas)!
These girls did well being something that haunts the narrative because fate is something no one can escape.
In Doubt Comes In they weren’t instigating whispering doubts into Orpheus’s mind. They wouldn’t need to when they were the ones that weaved their ending. They were merely reflecting his thoughts.
Singing my praises and it goes to the ensemble. They were the cherry on top. They brought the songs to life! My favorite moments were specifically Epic III and Wait For Me (Reprise). The ensemble made the moment even more compelling. I felt the desperation, the need to reassure, the love.
THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN:
It’s no surprise that Hadestown: Teen Edition sold out five showings in a Pitman record nine days – and another show shortly after.
In short conversations before and after the show, Director Patrick Norris revealed that preparations for the production had been ongoing since September of 2024. Funding from Proposition 28 had also given the department funds to hire designers for the sets, sound, and costumes, contributing to the thousands raised through PHS Theatre shirt sales and sponsorships.
Shortly after their run of Hadestown concluded, three Pitman Thespians – Anahi Cuevas (senior, portraying the role of Eurydice), Jeffrey Kern (junior, portraying the role of Orpheus), and Mia Santoya (senior, portraying one of the Fates) – were nominated for and will perform at the Rita Moreno Awards in San Jose, California on May 12th. Additionally, the entire production was nominated for Best Overall Production.
Should Hadestown win an award in San Jose, they will move onto the prestigious Jimmy Awards for high school-level musical theatre in New York City in June.
After having worked with all three of them in the past in multiple PHS productions, these nominations are a long time coming and I’m beyond-words happy that the department and its talent are finally getting the recognition it deserves.
It’s safe to say – with all of the data and reviews from students, staff, accolades, and members of the public to back it – that Hadestown was truly the hottest ticket in town.