“It’s an old song, it’s a tale from way long ago. It’s a sad song, it’s a tragedy. But we’re gonna sing it anyway.” Anias Mitchell wrote those lyrics in the opening and closing numbers to Hadestown, and they are the best way to sum up this musical, this moment, and life in general. I was first introduced to Hadestown by my advanced theatre students before the Covid-19 Pandemic. During that time the show was still in its development stages. I was taking a road trip with my daughter to Miami and our pastime has always been enjoying a musical soundtrack on drives. Granted, this was not the typical Original Broadway Cast album that we were listening to, but one of the few concept albums that Anias released in different phases of development. This album did not have the refinement that we had come to expect in a soundtrack. It had something more… It had a heart. When “All I’ve Ever Known” came on as we were crossing Alligator Alley and we were both in tears, we became lifelong fans.
My love for this show only grew as it made its way to Broadway. Yes, I took a trip up to see the original cast, and once again I sobbed like a baby. Last year I was blessed with the opportunity to take a group of students to see the touring company at the Van Wezel and they had the same reaction. In an instant, another generation of Braden River Theatre students had fallen in love, and I’m glad that I got to share that with them. Now we all get to share this love with you.
Hadestown is not the typical style of show that we have done here at BRHS. However, we have always loved to tell a great story, and this year is no different. Why retire with a tragedy you ask? Well… It’s simple. Life doesn’t always turn out the way you’d like, but you dust yourself off and try again, and again, and again. If I have one concept to leave with my students, it is this… “Keep Going!” My years here at Braden River have been wonderful. I have worked with some amazing students, fantastic educators, and been apart of some spectacular families. All of them will be in my heart and my life forever. The best part is that I get to leave my baby with an amazing human who will do great things and take this program to the next level.
Thank you to everyone who has had a hand in building Braden River Theatre & Dance. None of this would be possible without you. This is not goodbye, it’s… See ya around.
With Love,
Ricky
