Orpheus & Eurydice (musical)
Orpheus & Eurydice is an original MusicAL, based on Greek mythology, with score by Andrew Hanley and book by Melissa Nally & Andrew Hanley. It premiered in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2011, running from August 3â16, directed by Melissa Nally. The show was produced, along with eleven other shows, by Five One productions, a London based production company.
Summary
The musical, based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, begins immediately after the lovers' wedding (Waltz). Orpheus and Eurydice, depicted as Woodstock-era musicians, are loving and playful. Orpheus informs Eurydice that he has written her a song and leaves to fetch his guitar. Eurydice, picking flowers, is unsuspectingly bit by a serpent and taken to the underworld. Orpheus returns but cannot find her and, after time, realizes that she is dead ("Orpheus's Lament"). He decides that he must retrieve her from death. Eurydice, as narrator, sees him leave in search of her. She picks up his guitar that he left behind and sings of how he will find and bring her back ("Find Me"). Orpheus is met at the gates to hell by Charon, here played as a gum-chewing valley girl, who refuses Orpheus entry and tells him to let Eurydice go ("Dear Eurydice"). Charon is moved by Orpheus's lamentations and allows him through the gate. Upon entering the underworld, Orpheus comes upon Tantalus. Tantalus, once a lascivious musician with questionable morals, is facing his eternal punishment. He explains to Orpheus that he hears beautiful music but cannot play it on his guitar ("Tantalus"). Orpheus helps him play his guitar and subsequently asks for the guitar as a favor. Orpheus musters his courage to face Persephone, queen of the underworld, to try to win her favor in taking Eurydice back ("Orpheus's Lament: Reprise"). He finds Persephone, a cold and frustrated woman, and begs her to give him back his wife, which she adamantly refuses. Orpheus attempts to flatter Persephone, who is intrigued by his musical abilities and asks him to play her something. Orpheus sings a seductive song in which he compares Eurydice's plight to that of Persephone and begs her once more to allow him to take her ("Song for Persephone"). Persephone angrily concedes on one condition: he must not look at his wife or speak to her until they have reached the upper world ("Persephone's Deal"). Eurydice is returned to Orpheus, who will not look at her. Eurydice misinterprets this as coldness and anger and demands that he look at her ("Eurydice's Pain"). Orpheus, unable to allow Eurydice to think he does not love her, looks back in fear. In that instant, she disappears from him. He is left alone with no chance to regain her ("Persephone's Deal: Reprise").
Original casting
In the original production, Orpheus was played by Michael Kane Libonati. Brooke Bettis played Eurydice, as well as all other parts (Persephone, Tantalus, Charon, Narrator)
Reviews
The show received mostly positive reviews at the Fringe. The Scotsman called the show "an attractive blend of Greek mythology and contemporary musical sensibility," and said, of Libonati and Bettis, that "the two performers have lovely voices and command their small stage." Fringe Guru called the show "quite charming" and a "sweet adaptation.". One4Review said that the show was "lovely, with some beautiful and poignant moments... well worth catching... a nicely done, gentle tale of love."