“Hadestown: The Musical” takes viewers “way down” to a raw and riveting theatrical experience.

The live stage recording captures the essence of theater and makes the audience feel like part of the production through unique cinematography and compelling performances. It tells an inspiring story of perseverance and joy that stays with the viewer – an impressive feat for a recording of a musical.

Audiences can now experience the award-winning Broadway musical – written by Anaïs Mitchell – on the big screen. The film, directed by Brett Sullivan and released July 24 starred actors from the original Broadway cast. Filmed in 2025 across three live performances and some additional shooting in London’s West End, each frame of the movie feels intentional.

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The musical follows the Greek myth of Orpheus (Reeve Carney) and Eurydice (Eva Noblezada). Hermes (André De Shields) narrates the story, explaining how harsh weather has cursed the Earth ever since the relationship between Hades (Patrick Page) and Persephone (Amber Grey) deteriorated. Orpheus seeks to bring spring back to end the hunger and sadness humans are experiencing by rekindling Hades and Persephone’s relationship through his gift of song. But as Orpheus ignores Eurydice’s hunger and poverty to pursue his dream, Eurydice is enticed by Hades to pick between love and survival. Ultimately, Eurydice makes a deal with Hades, exchanging her freedom for escape from poverty and trapping herself in the underworld. Only Orpheus can rescue her by venturing to find her in “Hadestown” to win back her freedom.

Immediately, the movie distinguishes itself through its cinematography. Rather than using one stationary camera to capture the musical as if the viewer is in the audience, the film employs diverse camera angles and close-ups to pull the audience into a mythical world ruled by Fates and music. Innovative camera choices, like the camera descending into Hadestown alongside Eurydice, immerse the audience on an entirely different level. With cameras pointing across the stage, up to the ceiling and catching the quick glances between characters, new elements of the powerfully emotional story shine through in this movie format.

Unforgettable performances from the five leads of the cast elevate the layered story of two relationships – Orpheus and Eurydice paralleled with Hades and Persephone. The five-person ensemble moves dynamically through different roles, creating a soundscape that feels far larger than its size.

Noblezada’s vocal performance as Eurydice is especially notable. Her voice is flexible and playful, effortlessly soaring into high falsetto and grounding the audience in a firm belt. The Tony-nominated actress displays an impressive range of unbridled emotion, highlighted by the film format.

De Shields also delivers a riveting performance as Hermes. Narrators must balance telling the story while displaying their character. Through subtle physical choices, such as glances towards the audience or small hand gestures, the camera captures the ways in which De Shields brings Hermes’ personality to life.

The live stage recording adds an additional character to the beloved musical: the audience. During deeply tragic or joyful scenes, the camera cuts to the crowd’s reactions. Likewise, after numbers, the camera flips to show the audience applauding. These small touches capture the essence of live theater. Even in the cinema, where no actors or musicians are present, the feeling of experiencing a story with other people resonates. While moviegoers may be removed from the live aspect of the musical, they can still feel the power of the show through these scenes.

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This inclusion of the audience also stays true to the mission of “Hadestown” as a musical. In the live musical, Hermes and other characters engage directly with the audience. Persephone introduces each member of the band, as if she is playing a concert. The band themselves are on stage, in costume, rather than tucked away in an orchestra pit. In a musical about humanity, and how humans reach for joy and love in spite of tragedy, this inclusion of the audience feels especially appropriate.

If viewers missed “Hadestown” on the stage, they have the chance to get the same – if not a richer – experience in the movie theater.

The audience will leave hopeful, brave and inspired to “sing it anyway,” even in the face of hardship like Orpheus,