Way Down to Hadestown with OMTI!

“I think the music is so exciting and so different,” said Hilliard Davidson’s Marley Buck seen here as Eurydice. “This show has helped a lot of us grow because it was so hard to learn this music. We had to put in extra work.”

February 5, 2025
Article by River Scofield
Photos by Amanda Frederick

From the inspirational Ohio Musical Theatre Institute (OMTI) Black Box Theatre, talented teen actors come together to take audiences way down to Hadestown. The popular stage musical tells the mythic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice, blending ancient mythology with modern emotion.

“Orpheus falls in love, and he will literally go to the ends of the Earth for this woman,” said Addy Frederick, a Pickerington Central student who plays Persephone. “He goes to Hell to bring her back when she signs her soul away to the underworld.”

The story delivers a powerful message, with music that emphasizes both love and heartbreak. According to the OMTI website, the score is “inspired by traditions of classical American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz.” The result is a sound that feels intriguing and different from the average musical with each song strengthening the emotional impact of the story.

“The songs are so poetic, and they’re beautiful and so much different than other shows. It really drags you in,” said Emma Bader, a New Albany student who performs in the ensemble and understudies Persephone.

OMTI is performing Hadestown at the OMTI Black Box Theatre, located at 2106 Integrity Dr., Columbus. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday during the weekends of February 5 and 12, with 2 p.m. matinees on February 8 and 15. Tickets are available at www.omticolumbus.org, with $20 regular seating and $25 premium seating.

 

The production offers more than just music and storytelling.

“Awesome effects! The turntable, the fog, the awesome dancing — really pop you into something new,” said Bennett Zamora, a Dublin Jerome student in the ensemble.

Jordan Crichfield, a student at Olentangy Liberty who plays Fate 3, agreed, adding that the show is “really cool to see.”

Beyond the spectacle, OMTI has crafted a warm, welcoming environment for the young performers.

“The community is so inviting and welcoming, and honestly this is one of the best casts and productions I’ve worked with,” said Kaelyn Bates, a Granville student who plays Fate 1.

   

 

With passionate performances and a strong, emotional story, Hadestown is a show worth seeing. Audience members are encouraged to come down to Hadestown and support these talented young performers.

And this is only the first production from OMTI this season. In Spring, the theatre will bring history to life with SIX: The Musical, opening March 5.