Vermont

‘Hadestown’ comes home: Five things to know as Broadway musical returns to its birthplace

Published

6 months ago

October 7, 2024

‘Hadestown’ comes home: Five things to know as Broadway musical returns to its birthplace

“Hadestown” is coming home.

The musical Addison County native Anais Mitchell created and first presented in Vermont in late 2006 – followed by a reworked production that toured the state the next year – returns to the place of its birth for the first fully-staged Vermont production in 17 years. The four shows Oct. 15-17 come after Mitchell’s scruffy, imaginative folk opera was staged off-Broadway in 2016 and arrived in a big way on Broadway in 2019, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

As the improbable run of “Hadestown” finally brings the production back to its roots with a Broadway touring production, here are five things you should know about the musical’s past, present and future.

The birth of “Hadestown”

Mitchell, then 25, and Vermont visual artist Ben t. Matchstick created the folk opera and cast in-state friends and musicians in the first productions in Barre and Vergennes in late 2006. Part-Woody Guthrie “stick it to the man” folk project, part-steampunk dreamscape, the production based on the Orpheus myth was esoteric, atmospheric and, according to a Burlington Free Press review of the Vergennes production, told its tale “with clear-eyed creative verve.”

The Free Press caught the Middlebury show when a revamped “Hadestown” toured the state in 2007.

“Another year of experience and a tighter focus made the music more powerful, the visuals more sensual and ‘Hadestown’ much more intense,” according to the Free Press review of that performance. “With no expository dialogue, only songs, it’s still difficult at times to follow the plot, but ‘Hadestown’ is now such a visual and musical wonder, it doesn’t matter. Mitchell presents a bleak world that, through all the angst and despair, is a joy to watch.”

Album on Ani DiFranco’s label

A touring singer-songwriter, Mitchell demonstrated she wasn’t done with “Hadestown.” In 2010 she released an album on which she (as with the stage productions) portrayed Eurydice, condemned to a bleak life of sweatshop-like toil in the world of Hades. The floating voice of Justin Vernon of Bon Iver as Eurydice’s musical lover, Orpheus, and the sassy brass of singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco (whose record label Righteous Babe released the recording) as Hades’ wife, Persephone, set templates for those roles that would carry over to Broadway nearly a decade later.

The toast of Broadway, Tony Awards

Mitchell ceased performing in “Hadestown” by the 2016 off-Broadway retooling (which included in its cast Vermont native and recent Tony-winner Shaina Taub), pre-Broadway tune-ups in London and Edmonton and Broadway in 2019. The Free Press saw the beefed-up Broadway show in April 2019, just before its official opening night.

“The core of ‘Hadestown’ – Mitchell’s songs – remains vividly alive,” the Free Press wrote. “It’s exciting to hear her songs in this fuller context, with the larger Broadway presentation bringing even more richness out of material Mitchell’s Vermont fans have heard for more than a decade. This more-explicitly-explained version helps reveal the brilliance not just of Mitchell’s music but of the storyline that’s always been there, lurking behind the songs that stand as vivid scenes on their own.”

That energy carried over to the Tony Awards that June. “Hadestown” won eight of Broadway’s top prizes, including Best Musical; Best Original Score for Mitchell; Best Direction of a Musical by Rachel Chavkin, who came on board for the off-Broadway show; and Best Orchestrations to Todd Sickafoose and Vermont musician Michael Chorney. Mitchell, Chorney and Vermont bass player Robinson Morse were the only artists to see “Hadestown” through from seed to fully-flourishing flower 13 years later.

The present, future of ‘Hadestown’

In a sign of a Broadway hit, the musical turned a profit by the end of 2019, months before the COVID-19 pandemic shut “Hadestown” down for 18 months. The production continues to thrive at the Walter Kerr Theatre, though almost all performers have changed from opening night.

A new cast member postponed a Vermont show to join the Broadway show. American-roots musician Allison Russell was to perform Oct. 25 at Higher Ground in South Burlington. She delayed that concert until April 30 once she was named as the next singer to portray Persephone, a role that began with Vermont vocalist Miriam Bernardo in 2006 and included DiFranco on Broadway this year. Russell joins “Hadestown” Nov. 12.

Details about the Burlington shows

Vermonters have flocked to New York to see “Hadestown” on Broadway since 2019, but those unable to get to Manhattan or who just want to see it in its state of origin can now witness the Broadway national tour at the Flynn in Burlington.

Those who haven’t bought tickets might be out of luck. Three evening performances sold out quickly. A matinee was added for Oct. 16, but that sold out in early October.

Mitchell announced Oct. 3 on social media that a portion of the proceeds from the Burlington performances will go to the Vermont Community Foundation’s Vermont Flood Response and Recovery Fund. Floods have hit Vermont hard in the past couple of years, including in Barre and Montpelier, two cities where those early creative sparks of “Hadestown” were first lit.

If you go

WHAT: Broadway national tour of “Hadestown”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15-Thursday, Oct. 17 and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16

WHERE: The Flynn, Burlington

INFORMATION: Sold out. www.flynnvt.org

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

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Vermont

VBCA names players of the year at annual all-star event at Windsor

Published

4 hours ago

March 22, 2025

Press Room

VBCA names players of the year at annual all-star event at Windsor

After leading their teams to state championships earlier this month, West Rutland’s Peyton Guay and Burlington’s Abdi Sharif collected more hardware on Saturday: the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association players of the year honors.

Guay was named the top girls player for the second time in three seasons, while Sharif was recognized as the state’s best on the boys side during the day-long celebration of hoops highlighted by four senior all-star games at Windsor High School.

Guay, who set the state’s all-time girls scoring record (2,279 points) this winter, helped West Rutland to a fourth straight Division IV title. Sharif was the leading scorer on a Burlington team that captured the program’s first D-I crown since 2016.

Coaches who are members of VBCA are allowed to vote on the POYs.

During Saturday’s competition, the North and South split the four games. The North now leads the all-time series 59-33.

The results:

Division III-IV girls: North 56, South 47

BFA-Fairfax’s Abba Villeneuve (10 points), Windsor’s Sophia Rockwood (nine) and Twinfield/Cabot’s Kendall Fowler (eight) powered the North, which pulled away from a three-point halftime lead.

For the South, West Rutland’s Bella Coobs scored nine points and Oxbow’s Maggi Elsworth tossed in seven.

Windsor’s Rockwood won the 3-point contest with a record-tying 18 3-pointers in a minute.

Division III-IV boys: South 82, North 81

Windsor’s Tanner Crane and White River Valley’s Zander Clark each scored 13 points and White River Valley’s Brayden Russ struck for a dozen points as the South built a big lead before holding off a North comeback bid.

Hazen’s Brendan Moodie (23 points) led the rally attempt from a 14-point deficit. Danville’s Andrew Joncas scored 11 points, Williamstown Evan Bailey added nine and Thetford’s Dylan Vance and Richford’s Jerrick Jacobs each had eight.

White River Valley’s Wyatt Cadwell won the 3-point contest on a tiebreaker.

Division I-II girls: South 65, North 62

In a tight finish, Fair Haven’s Izzy Cole sealed the win with a pair of game-sealing foul shots. Spaulding’s Taylor Keel led the winners with 14 points, followed by Mount Abraham’s Louisa Painter with eight points and Springfield’s Macie Stagner with seven.

For the North, Burlington’s Nylah Mitchell scored nine of her team-high 12 points in the second half. Mount Mansfield’s Bella Schultz-Mitchell scored seven.

Mount Anthony’s Madi Moore was the 3-point contest winner, matching Rockwood’s record 18 3s.

Division I-II boys: North 106, South 86

Burlington’s Abdi Sharif scored 17 points and Mount Mansfield’s Tommy Brockmeyer scored 14 as the North outlasted the South in a shootout.

St. Johnsbury’s Rex Hauser scored 13 points and Rice’s Dallas St. Peter put up 11 points.

On the South side, Rutland’s Dez Krakowka totaled 17 points and Montpelier teammates Atif Milak (14) and Carter Bruzzese (13) also reached double figures.

St. Peter captured the 3-point contest with 21 treys from distance.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

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Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State live score: Updates, how to watch March Madness

Published

15 hours ago

March 22, 2025

Press Room

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State live score: Updates, how to watch March Madness

Players in March Madness to watch before the WNBA draft

Mackenzie Salmon and Meghan Hall give a guide on what players to look out for in the March Madness tournament before the WNBA draft.

Sports Seriously

The 15th-seeded Vermont women’s basketball team officially returns to March Madness today in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup vs No. 2 North Carolina State.

The Catamounts (21-12), who captured the America East Conference championship last week, are making their second trip to the NCAA Tournament in three seasons and eighth in program history.

But they have a tough assignment in today’s 2 p.m. tip-off at Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina: The Wolfpack (26-6) are ranked ninth in the Associated Press top-25 poll and are coming off a run to last year’s Final Four.

Watch Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State on Fubo

NC State is also undefeated (16-0) at home this season.

For live updates and how to watch, see below.

What channel is Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State on today? Where to watch, stream live?

Vermont women’s basketball will tip off vs NC State on ESPN. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State start time, TV channel, location

Start time: 2 p.m. ET
TV info: ESPN
Location: Reynolds Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM.

Spread: -20.5
Over/under: 124.5
Moneyline: +1900

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State prediction, game picks

NC State 70, Vermont 52: The Catamounts’ highly ranked defense won’t be enough to slow the Wolfpack’s high-scoring group of guards.

Vermont women’s basketball vs NC State stats

VERMONT

PPG: 61.1
PPG allowed: 52.2
FG% 46.4
3PT%: 33.7

NC STATE

PPG: 76.8
PPG allowed: 65.4
FG% 44.9
3PT%: 32.9

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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

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Vermont

NC State vs. Vermont predictions, picks for 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament first round

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2025

Press Room

NC State vs. Vermont predictions, picks for 2025 women’s NCAA Tournament first round

Day 2 of the Round of 64 for the women’s NCAA Tournament is nearly underway, and among the games on tap is a battle between No. 2 NC State and No. 15 Vermont.

The NC State Wolfpack finished the regular season with a 26-6 record, ranking seventh in the nation in RPI, and fifth in strength of schedule. The Vermont Catamounts, meanwhile, finished 90th in RPI and were 13-3 in America East play. Vermont won their conference with a 62-55 win over Albany in the America East conference finals.

Here’s how our experts see Saturday’s Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out USA TODAY’s complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team’s picks for every game. While you’re at it, don’t forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.

NC State vs. Vermont picks and predictions

Our experts from across the USA TODAY Network are unanimous (8-0) on who will win this game, No. 2 seed Wolf Pack or No. 15 seed Catamounts. NC State does have the edge in efficiency statistics. Take a look at their full bracket predictions.