“Hadestown” final toured California in late 2010. Anaïs Mitchell’s blues-folk idea album, launched earlier that 12 months, was gaining steam, so she and a troupe of musicians drove up the coast to placed on one-night-only performances in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Francisco.
“We had 14 folks and a canine in a 15-passenger van,” she remembers throughout an intimate live performance on Tuesday night time on the Ahmanson Theatre. “We performed at McCabe’s Guitar Store, and we might barely match on that stage. And who’s within the viewers however Dale Franzen, who turned the primary lead producer of ‘Hadestown.’”
“We’ve had a really lengthy highway,” she provides. “It was like a prepare that stored rolling — and right here we’re, again in L.A.”
Working via Could 29 on the downtown L.A. venue, the eight-time Tony-winning musical reimagines the Orpheus and Eurydice delusion in a world the place sources and hope are equally scarce. The smart Eurydice has fallen in love with the idealistic Orpheus however longs for the monetary stability assured within the titular underworld — a manufacturing facility city overseen by Hades and resented by his spouse, Persephone.
The retelling of this Greek tragedy, developed with and directed by Rachel Chavkin, options lyrics loaded with metaphors and aphorisms about love and hope, delivered with an almost five-octave vocal sprawl and a howling seven-piece band. (And its whispered observations about local weather change, labor unionizing and the intrinsic worth of labor have solely change into extra related because it final performed in L.A. all these years in the past.)
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Kimberly Marable performs Persephone on the “Hadestown” tour.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
“Hadestown” retells the Orpheus and Eurydice delusion as a blues-folk musical.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
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Mitchell — who wrote the music, lyrics and guide of “Hadestown” over 15 years — stays notably modest about its widespread crucial and industrial success. Earlier than Tuesday’s live performance, she expressed delight on the sight of a “Hadestown” bench billboard exterior the venue, and the sound of the booming trombone solo that kicks off the present.
“It’s fairly superb to be opening this present right here,” Mitchell tells The Occasions. “It’s onerous to imagine it’s the identical present from once we had been on that tiny stage; it didn’t really feel like McCabe’s was the place the place you’re gonna get found by a Broadway producer.”
“Nevertheless it was an enormous a part of the story, so that is such a full-circle second,” she continues. “I simply really feel this extraordinary sense of awe and humility that this factor is rolling across the nation and I type of don’t have anything to do with it now.”
Anaïs Mitchell, exhibiting off tattoos of her daughters’ names, Rosetta and Ramona, wrote “Hadestown” over the course of 15 years.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
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At 41 years outdated, Mitchell is within the midst of her personal full-circle second. Since opening the present on Broadway in 2019, she relocated to her mother and father’ farm in Vermont, the place she gave beginning to her second daughter — and a brand new album.
“When the present went up, I couldn’t work out what my voice was,” she says. “However after I went house and obtained all that area and time, I picked up the guitar and began to put in writing my very own songs once more, which I’ve needed to do for years.
“It was so thrilling to simply write songs and know they might go anyplace; it doesn’t should develop characters or transfer the plot in any route, it simply has to really feel proper,” she continues. “It’s bizarre — all of the songs are tales from my life, which I’ve typically shied away from. However I suppose that’s what needed to return out after engaged on telling this different story for therefore lengthy.”
Anaïs Mitchell carried out a live performance after “Hadestown’s” first Los Angeles efficiency.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
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Anaïs Mitchell carried out with members of the “Hadestown” solid after the musical’s first present in L.A.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
Mitchell carried out the songs “Shiny Star” and “The Phrases” from her self-titled album for an viewers of American Categorical cardholders after the “Hadestown” nationwide tour’s inaugural L.A. efficiency on Tuesday night time.
“It jogs my memory a lot of Orpheus,” she explains of the latter, whereas tuning her acoustic guitar. “It’s concerning the toll that it took in your love life and your loved ones, attempting to develop a Broadway musical for years. It was a number of writing, nevertheless it was largely a number of rewriting, looking for the phrases.”
With the tour’s music director, Nathan Koci, accompanying her on the banjo and the accordion, Mitchell additionally carried out stripped-down renditions of “Hadestown” songs “Our Woman of the Underground” and “Why We Construct the Wall” with members of the solid.
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Earlier than singing “Wedding ceremony Track” with Nicholas Barasch, who performs Orpheus, she joked, “For one night time solely, I get to duet with Nick. Morgan [Siobhan Green] will get him each night time, however that is my night time!”
Anaïs Mitchell is presently touring her self-titled album.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Occasions)
Mitchell tells The Occasions that she’s “began casting round somewhat web in my thoughts” for her subsequent musical, whether or not on her personal once more or with a collaborator.
Within the meantime, she’s again on tour as properly, flying to Illinois after the present’s L.A. opening on Wednesday night time for a month of concert events across the nation.
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“I hope everybody on this touring manufacturing will get all the enjoyment and camaraderie of acting on the highway that I get on tour,” she says.
“The best way it feels to carry out the identical songs in several cities and see audiences reply to issues in their very own methods — it’s actually particular.”
‘Hadestown’
The place: Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A.
When: 8 p.m.Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and eight p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends Could 29. (Test web site for exceptions.)
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Tickets: $40-$225 (topic to vary)
Data: (213) 972-4400 or centertheatregroup.org
Working time: 2 hours, half-hour, together with one intermission
COVID protocol: Proof of full vaccination and booster is required. Masks are required always. (Test web site for modifications.)
Kannappa is the dream project of Vishnu Manchu, which is set to hit the big screen on June 27, 2025. For the uninitiated, Kannappa is a Telugu language devotional film starring Vishnu Manchu in the lead role, along with a star cast that includes Mohanlal, Prabhas, and Akshay Kumar in cameo roles. The mythological epic drama centres on devotion to Lord Shiva and embodies the essence of Sanatan Dharma. As anticipation for the theatrical release of Kannappa builds, here are the early reviews of the film.
Famous screenwriter, Kona Venkat loved Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa and shared his reviews
Taking to his X handle (formerly Twitter), popular screenwriter, Kona Venkat, praised the performances of Vishnu Manchu, Prabhas and Mohan Babu. For the unversed, along with Vishnu Manchu in the lead, Kannappa also has a supporting cast including Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpt Ranka, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji and many more. Kona Venkat specially mentioned the second half of the movie, which had so many wow moments. In his words:
“I too had the Privilege and the Opportunity to watch “KANNAPPA” and I am truly impressed by the content!! There are so so many WOW moments in the second half. Especially the last half hour is truly captivating and mesmerising. The presence of #Prabhas made huge impact in the movie. Every audience would definitely talk about @iVishnuManchu‘s performance in the last 20 minutes @themohanbabu garu’s performance too would be talked about for many years. I really hope that Kannappa” works big time at Box office and would help the industry during this tough times!! #HaharaMahadev #KannappaOnJune27th”
Netizens’ reaction to Vishnu Manchu starrer, Kannappa
Netizens gave mixed reaction when it came to VFX of the film, Kannappa. Praising the VFX, one user wrote, “Kanappa is a mythological entertainment package with stunning visuals and BGM. The climax is the best part of the film. Vishnu Manchu, Akshay Kumar, Mohan Babu, and Prabhas are all good. Overall the film is worth watching.” Sharing a different perspective on VFX, another user wrote, “Kannappa is visually grand with a powerful mythological core. Prabhas, Mohanlal and Akshay Kumar shine in cameos, and Rajinikanth’s praise speaks volumes. But some VFX scenes fall flat, and the pacing drags in parts.” Giving an overview of the film, one user wrote:
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“#KannappaReview Vishnu Manchu delivers his career-best performance. Prabhas cameo = Goosebumps overload. Mohanlal’s character is a big surprise. BGM & elevations are top-class. Climax is pure emotion – will leave you in tears. BLOCKBUSTER LOADING 3.5/5.”
An interesting fact about Vishnu Manchu’s dream project, Kannappa
In a recent interview with SCREEN, Vishnu revealed that Mohanlal and Prabhas, who will appear in cameo roles in Kannappa, are not charging a penny. He shared how South superstar, Mohanlal, agreed to his dream project due to his love and respect for Mohan Babu, the father of Vishnu Manchu. In fact, Vishnu predicted that his Rs. 200 crore budget film might not do well at the box office, but since he wanted to make the project based on devotion towards Lord Shiva, he approached Mohanlal and Prabhas, as they had a huge fan base. Vishnu also shared how the duo refused to accept money when he offered it to them. In his words:
“They would yell at me! Mohanlal said, ‘You grew up around me and now you’re offering me money?’ Prabhas even threatened to kill me if I ever mentioned fees again.”
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How much did you like Vishnu Manchu’s Kannappa? Let us know.
Also Read: Rajinikanth’s Coolie Chikitu Song: Fans Hail The Megastars Unmatched Energy And Steps In His 70s
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The Oscars’ voting body is growing again with a glittering list of new recruits that includes pop superstar Ariana Grande, newly minted Oscar-winner Kieran Culkin and late-night veterans — and past Oscar hosts — Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O’Brien.
On Thursday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced it had invited 534 new members across its 19 branches. This year’s class includes Oscar nominees, below-the-line craftspeople and rising international voices — among them “Wicked” star Grande; “Succession” actor Culkin, who won the supporting actor Oscar for “A Real Pain”; and late-night hosts Kimmel, a four-time Oscar emcee, and O’Brien, who hosted the ceremony for the first time this year. In all, the group features 91 Oscar nominees and 26 winners, including Mikey Madison, who took the lead actress Oscar for the best picture winner “Anora.” Madison’s co-stars Yura Borisov and Karren Karagulian were also invited to the actors’ branch.
The latest invitations reflect the academy’s ongoing push for greater inclusion, even after meeting its post-#OscarsSoWhite diversity benchmarks. Of the 2025 class, 41% identify as women, 45% as members of underrepresented ethnic or racial communities and 55% are from outside the United States. Across the total membership, 35% identify as women, 22% as members of underrepresented groups and 21% are based internationally.
After years of rapid expansion — peaking with a record-setting incoming class of 928 in 2018 — the academy has shifted toward more sustainable growth. Still, this year’s tally represents a modest increase over last year’s 487 invitees.
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Other additions to the acting branch — the academy’s largest — include “The Apprentice” co-stars Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan, who drew nominations for their portrayals of Roy Cohn and Donald Trump, respectively, in the controversial biopic, along with supporting actress nominee Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”), Aubrey Plaza, Jason Momoa, Jodie Comer, Dave Bautista and “Emilia Pérez” star Adriana Paz. (Notably, “Emilia Pérez” lead Karla Sofía Gascón, who made history this year as the first openly transgender performer nominated in the lead acting category, did not receive an invitation — a decision that follows backlash over past controversial remarks.)
New recruits to the directors branch include this year’s nominees Coralie Fargeat (“The Substance”) and Brady Corbet (“The Brutalist”), as well as Gints Zilbalodis, who directed the Oscar-winning animated feature “Flow.” Invitees in the documentary branch include the team behind this year’s Oscar-winning “No Other Land”: Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor.
“We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists and professionals to join the Academy,” academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. “Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community.”
If all invitations are accepted, the academy’s total membership will rise to 11,120, including 10,143 voting members.
2025, NR, 180 min. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh. Starring Vishnu Manchu, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Prabhas Raju, Mohan Babu.
Not reviewed at press time. The movie depicts the folk tale of Kannappa, an atheist hunter who became a devotee of Lord Shiva and plucked out his eyes in an act of devotion.
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