North musical takes local theatergoers for ride on highway to Hades
Show stopping dance numbers presented by Greek gods and industrial workers provided audience members a way down to Hadestown. From Feb. 12 to 15 at The Grand Oshkosh, Oshkosh North High School told this mythical story, introducing an epic tale about a poor boy, Orpheus (junior Phengvuoa Xiong), falling in love with a starving girl, Euridyce (senior Allie Lieb). What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend than with a tragedy of unreachable love and death?
This reimagining of the well-known myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is told by the messenger of the gods, Hermes, who tracks the pair’s path from strangers, to lovers, to strangers again. King Hades of the Underworld and his drunk wife, Persephone, goddess of spring and queen of the underworld, agree to Orpheus’ plan to marry Eurydice and write her a song of warmth that will bring back spring to a post-apocalyptic world. When this plan falls through, Eurydice grows impatient, and flees to the Underworld where she becomes a worker for Hades. When Orpheus finishes his melody, he finds his lover gone, and goes to save her from Hades’ grasp. However, before they can return home, they are given an ultimatum: If Orpheus doesn’t turn around on the way home, they survive. If he fails, Eurydice is banished forever.
Tragically, the story ends with Orpheus looking back at the final moment, and Eurydice is forced to return to the Underworld. Hadestown, written by Anaïs Mitchell and winner of eight Tony Awards, emphasizes the importance of love, no matter the consequences, and leaves audiences holding out hope that the next retelling will find joy.
Hadestown was director Bridget Duffy-Ulrich’s fourteenth production at North, and the school’s last performance at The Grand. Prior to opening night, she had been looking forward to the show for months.
“Some musicals are cheerful and funny, but Hadestown is darker, intense, and powerful,” she said. “Thousands of tiny details and choices come together in a show, and Oshkosh has a tradition of incredible musical theatre.”
Campbell Gies, who played “Fate 2”, was particularly enthusiastic about the choice and felt lucky to have participated.
“The choreography is really fun and the harmonies are so hard and intricate, but we got them. So, it’s a moment of our hard work paying off,” she said.
Geis is grateful for the communities built through high school theater.
“Without Oshkosh North theater department, I don't think I’d have as many close friends as I have now,” she said.
Geis is also aware of the importance of performing a show with Hadestown’s themes in the current age.
“The message is very relevant to the time right now. And you might see some recurring themes, but it’s important to emphasize that the show is made to bring attention to the fact that history always repeats itself,” she said.
Senior Sophia Johns, who took on the role of Persephone, believes in the true beauty the musical was able to bring to the Grand.
“Being in musical theater has pushed me to want to do more; I want a good career, and I want a good future,” they said.
Johns believes in the impact and importance that musical theater holds not only to them, but to their fellow students as well. Their favorite part of the show is the eerie but exciting number “Chant.”
“I love the themes, I love the song, and I love my part in it!” Johns said.
Johns agreed with Geis that Hadestown is an important story to share with the Oshkosh community not only for the show, but for what it says about the world.
“This show is a wonderful political commentary about what is going on in our life right now, what is going on in the world, and it is huge on how history repeats itself,” they said. “If you haven’t seen Hadestown, you need to go see it!”
Senior Antonio Thompson, also known as Oshkosh North’s Hermes, hopes to share how the magic of musicianship truly brings people together.
“Musical theater is a good opportunity to cooperate with communication skills, and general basic human skills you need to know,” he said. “It’s not just the music aspect of it, it’s a good experience to be so connected with people emotionally.”
Thompson always looked forward to when the melody of Way Down Hadestown began to play. He hoped he could share his love for that number with the world.
“It’s the most energetic. It requires all the jazzy motions, all the tragedy, all the energy, and all the sadness," he said.
Thompson knows that “flowers bloom” when music is shared all around, and hopes to provide confidence to all non-musicians wondering if theater might be their calling.
“I extremely stress the importance of being involved in shows in general. Musical theater is such a great opportunity for every aspect of music to come together. Theater also has every aspect of personalities coming together to make things beautiful,” he said.
by Gabriella Weiss
Published March 2, 2026
Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue V