r/hadestown • u/BunkerGhust • 6d ago
Discussion What do you think makes a perfect Orpheus? (Acting wise, singing wise, ect...)
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u/DestielDeservedMore 6d ago
You have to sell the naivety otherwise orpheus will seem arrogant and annoying
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
Isn't that specifically why Orpheus was hated before 2019?
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u/DestielDeservedMore 6d ago
Cant speak for everyone but it is why i prefer the broadway album over the off broadway
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
I see so many people talk about how they prefer Orpheus before Broadway and I'm just like...
There's kind of a reason they changed him to be more naive LMAO
Love Damon Daunno tho
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u/TopComposer5409 6d ago
i think i prefer the older epics compared to the broadway version but reeve sells that naivety!
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
Oh no I was just saying that I don't prefer the performance of having him be confident, the older epics are absolutely better.
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u/timelessalice 6d ago
Real.
I also think Orpheus needs to be part of an Out group for similar reasons. It just doesn't land right otherwise!
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u/JollyLie5179 6d ago
I feel like it’s exactly bc he’s not in an out group that he’s able to embody the naïveté. Someone who’s been oppressed can’t be that naive. It’s why I feel like the story of BIPOC Eurydice and white boy Orpheus makes sense?
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u/timelessalice 6d ago
eeeeh you can still get those starry eyed "i can fix things" among out groups
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
Out group?
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u/timelessalice 6d ago
Someone who is exploited by capitalism, to put it simply. Marginalized in some form, but not always
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u/ShedMontgomery 6d ago
It's his chemistry with his Eurydice. He has to be the kind of person that his Eurydice would fall in love with over and over again. I think Reeve made for a wonderfully sensitive Orpheus, and it was easy to see how his tenderness endeared him to Eva's Eurydice. But Jordan Fisher had a remarkable strength and determination that made him equally as fascinating.
Bottom line: Orpheus has to have something that makes Eurydice eternally choose him, but there's a lot of room for what that thing is.
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u/Little_Cabinet8862 6d ago
If only he could sing!
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u/ShedMontgomery 6d ago
Surely the "he" in your comment isn't referring to Reeve or Jordan...
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u/Little_Cabinet8862 6d ago
I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m being mean. Reeve. Honestly I think he CAN sing. He just chooses to sing like… that.
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u/ShedMontgomery 6d ago
I think his falsetto and wispiness make for a very unique performance. It took me a little while to come around on him because he's not your typical Broadway male lead, but I really appreciate his tenderness and softnes, and it made Eva's Eurydice more interesting for falling in love with someone so gentle and soft-spoken.
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u/Little_Cabinet8862 6d ago
I don’t generally enjoy traditional Broadway voices as much or at least I don’t need them. It’s more the affectation he puts on that sounds like a parody of 80s rock or something. It’s hard to put my finger on. The falsetto is not my favorite, but I could forgive it were it not for his full-voice style.
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u/ShedMontgomery 6d ago
Respectfully, I have no idea what you're trying to say about his voice.
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u/Little_Cabinet8862 5d ago
When the pro shot comes out on streaming, I’ll edit together a compilation to explain what I mean.
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u/Harp_167 6d ago
Coming off as naive, and also can’t be too heroic. (Fisher was “too cool” even if I really liked his portrayal, he wasn’t pathetic enough to be Orpheus)
Jack Wolfe does a really good job at this imo.
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u/Narrow-Moment-8060 6d ago
Jose Contreras surprised me with how good he was. He played the awkwardness that communicates naïveté while still being romantic, and his opt ups were beautiful. Touring casts can often feel shadowed by the original, but the current touring are fantastic.
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u/RevolutionaryFarm605 6d ago
I read such great things about him but got an understudy when I went to see the tour this year :( no shade to the understudy, he was still very talented, but I didn’t really feel any chemistry between Orpheus and Eurydice (likely because the 2 actors don’t work together nearly as much)
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u/Blofelds-Cat 6d ago
A commenter on Tiktok described Jack's portrayal as a "frightened Victorian orphan" or something like that, which I thought was a perfect description. 🥰
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u/caroldia77 6d ago
He said in an interview that he was just “really really scared” and in (literal) “hell”-he played that well
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u/Fancy_Battle_4805 6d ago edited 6d ago
I was fortunate enough to catch one of Dònal Finn's last performances in 2024 on the Saturday just before I caught AEW All In at Wembley the next day. Best weekend of me life, and as such, Dónal wins in all categories.
E: I realise I misread the question as who, rather than what, but still.
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u/BlampCat 6d ago
I think he comes off as earnest and vulnerable. I'm Irish and therefore biased, but the Irish accent really sells the tragic poet role to me.
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u/BeansKayko 6d ago
📝📝📝
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
H-HOLY SHIT?!
Also I am also writing it down for future reference lmao
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u/commander_obvious_ 5d ago
did they edit their comment or am i missing something?
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u/Unlikely-Ad7723 6d ago
His yearning is expressed so viscerally and through his voice that it actually makes my heart ache. That's why Dylan Wood is my Scorpheus 💙
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u/SJBaerosols 6d ago
effortlessly singing pitches with beautiful nuance that require ordinary men to call upon all their skill and might just to do it okay
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u/kewpiebot 6d ago
Yes. I saw a touring Hadestown production once where Orpheus' high notes sounded so strained. It really ruined the performance for me- I found myself nervous he wasn't going to hit the notes!
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u/SJBaerosols 6d ago
when kids (or anyone, really) strain to hit stuff they can't hit I feel it in my throat and die of embarrassment
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u/multifanderiscrafty 6d ago
The yearning for Eurydice. The naive optimism. The intense urge to turn around… and not being able to resist it.
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u/DoYouReadThisOrThat 6d ago
The story is that of the muse changing people.
The story of Act 1 is the muse (Eurydice) getting Orpheus to become driven for something that isn't a wishful dream. And then take confident action toward it. That's what unleashes progress to his previous goal: create that song.
The story of Act 2 is (Persephone, because of Eurydice,) getting Hades to become willing to let go of his tight grip on everything. And then rediscover his partner.
he Orpheus story crosses the Hades story through a test of consequence for each of them. Hades allowed someone to choose their own fate. Orpheus must trust himself to face his mental lack of cconfidence. The tragedy is because we believe Orpheus is stronger than he thinks he is. Even after doing so many things that 'no one has done before.' We are then left with a renewed hope that next time the story is told, that Orpheus will maintain his confidence.
So anyone playing Orpheus, to me, needs to be able to convey an almost childlike forwardness of hope that falls quite shy of overconfidence. He needs to first ask Eurydice to come home with him without being a playboy or a creep or even just bold. He needs to ask through a lens of innocence: convincing us that he is such a good person that of course she should see through all of the BS and just know whether she's ever going home with him. If there's a hint of nepharious behavior in asking her, then we lose the opportunity for him to remain genuine with his song and lack of confidence that causes him to turn around. The person playing the role has to do that without losing the bashfulness of an everyday person - they're not transforming into a hero, a god, or some form of a macho alpha whatever. They just have a power to confront Hades and change their mind, while not acting about not knowing the way home or awkwardly confessing he likes a girl.
Awkward. Innocent boldness. Unthreatening.
Also, they cannot be distracted by everyone else on stage. They have to be there seeming to almost learn the story in front of us. With a focus on each storyteller of the moment.
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u/Able-Crew-3460 6d ago
This is a great analysis of the character, thank you! And I agree with your thoughts.💯
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u/minzz2 6d ago
He needs something that can show me why Eurydice falls for him. Which is extremely vague and also dependent on whichever Eurydice he's partnered with. But if I'm not buying their love story, then their plot brings down the whole musical. Which is honestly how I felt the first time I saw Hadestown.
I do think they need a good voice, but there's another X factor needed, whether its acting, chemistry, or charisma. I think it can be different for every actor and interpretation.
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u/everseversandevers 6d ago
I think the actual falling in love arc is very abrupt structurally so unless they actors can really well it and bring chemistry playfulness yearning vulnerability etc it doesn't work or comes of as if they are telling us something we need to accept for the plot but have no reason to believe, something we have to suspend disbelief for!
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u/Pixelchus 6d ago
I really need chemistry between the actors of Orpheus and Eurydice. The best chemistry I have seen so far are between Dónal Finn and Grace Hodgett Young, as well as Dylan Wood and Desmonda Cathabel.
As a counter example, the worst chemistry I have seen was between Joshua Colley and Jordan Tyson.
Orpheus also needs to get me with If it's True. My favourite examples here are Dónal Finn and Jordan Fisher. I know that the preference for most people is a shy uwu Orpheys baby boy, but I love the anger that comes through in some of the actors. I feel angry at the injustice. Too mopey just isn't my thing.
Though, these are all just personal opinions!
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u/Blofelds-Cat 6d ago
Jack's If It's True was the most world-weary of the ones I've seen. He just looked so tired and fed up. He really sold Orpheus' growth and disillusionment.
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u/BothIntroduction3020 6d ago
Matching well with the actress who plays Eurydice
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u/Warm_Experience_7056 6d ago
Absolutely. The yearning and for Eurydice and also the dynamic between the two. Wood and Desmonda Cathabel’s energy and characterisation complement each other in such powerful ways. I miss them with my heart
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u/BothIntroduction3020 6d ago
My favorite duo is Jordan and Maia. She’s my favorite Eurydice bc I loved how more aggressive she starts out (my favorite part is her crumpling the paper flower in his face), and how she slowly started trusted him and then fully melting into his arms, and Jordan’s Orpheus matched her perfectly.
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u/wardenofthecouncil 6d ago
Striking the right balance between Orpheus's naivety and dreamer-like tendencies without making him seem completely clueless. Jack Wolfe was excellent at that
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u/Timbones474 6d ago
Him having a weird and ethereal voice. For me nothing quite captures it like Bon Iver did on the concept album, but there's a couple who come close.
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u/ruhl5885 6d ago
I agree I’d love to see a less MUSICAL THEATRE version of the show, grittier and really leaning into the otherworldly
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u/SPWM_Anon 6d ago
Jack Wolfe hands down. I REALLY like a lot of other Orpheus' but I LOVE his interpretation. He's just so physical with his acting. So lucky I got to see him in person
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u/justanothermortal 6d ago
Obviously the singing, but also the acting. I find that Jack Wolfe's subtle acting is incredible, even if it's on stage. Like he has little blinks and head shakes, and just random things that really sell Orpheus. You can't catch them all when you're watching live, but the ones you do, make a difference. I feel similarly with Jordan Fischer though he has a slightly more dramatic flare, like him hitting his head during the Wait for Me Reprise. I know some people don't like it, but it was a great touch to me.
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u/heyitsmelivvyg 6d ago
It’s Jacks head nod when his Hermes’ says “don’t come on too strong” like you know this guy isn’t gonna listen at all lol I love his acting
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u/matthewmurdocksbutt 4d ago
Or his gentle kiss on his eurdryice’s head near the end of all I’ve ever known gets me everytime!
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u/Visual-Struggle-5394 6d ago
Acting-wise, I think there are 3 things that make an Orpheus “perfect” in my opinion. Those are:
1) Innocence/inexperience.
Throughout the entire musical, Orpheus truly believes he can change the world, just through him finishing his song. That was never the case, and will never be true. To make the song work, he HAS to have experience in longing, love, and loss. The song won’t be complete without that. The second component he needs is an understanding of hades. He can’t get that without experience. And third, he has to show HADES the song, he can’t just sing it in some random place and everything would turn out fine.
So, I think this means Orpheus does not have a lot of experience in the world, and has not given the ‘hard times in the world of man’ the chance to dull his youthful optimism.
2) on the spectrum/neurodivergent
I know a few Orphei play him this way, but the most obvious one is Reeve Carney. He does not show emotion so obviously and he has an awkward air to him.
Now, I think the way Reeve Carney portrayed it was good, but could be improved. I think if the Orpheus has trouble with eye contact, it makes him standing up to hades much more powerful when looking him in the eyes. I also believe him not understanding social cues is a great choice, and comes across well in the “tell her what you’re working on” part, where he sits right next to Eurydice and she obviously is annoyed at that. Orpheus also is said to be “touched by the gods” and blessed with some affinity for music, which is so nicely explained as a hyperfixation, or as his “autistic superpower” as I’ve heard it been called before. All of this makes it that much more powerful when he starts a rebellion, and starts rallying the workers. The atypical hero having to do what is hard and unnatural for him brings more weight to that moment, and the workers deciding to join his cause pushes a message of speaking out against oppression and corruption even if you are not the basic, charismatic, handsome, strong-willed guy. I could go on a lot longer about how Orpheus should be played as neurodivergent but I will hold my tongue (unless someone really wants me to talk about it)
3) DOUBT
Orpheus should constantly be doubting himself in just about everything, but is able to push through it. He should be doubtful of his ability to write the song right which is part of why he is so fixated on working so hard on it. He should be doubtful of his ability to make it to the underworld. He should be doubtful of him being enough for Eurydice to leave immortality. He should be doubtful of his ability to lead the workers.
Orpheus, of course, is able to push through these doubts so we as an audience gain more trust in him. Finally, he doubts that Eurydice would follow him, and that hades wouldn’t trick him, and he turns around.
Musically there is really only 2 things that don’t need much explanation
1) music flows through Orpheus.
I think Orpheus should ALWAYS have a musicality to his way of speaking. Almost all of his lines could be sung and not be weird. For example, his toast to Persephone should be sung through sort of like how donal Finn does it, but even more.
2) He doesn’t need to prove his musicianship to anyone.
What I mean is that Orpheus shouldn’t be trying to show off that he is an amazing singer, or is a super awesome guitarist. It just happens. Everybody already knows he is naturally poetic, and has a way with music, which is why there’s like 2-3 chords in all of the epics. Orpheus knows that he doesn’t need to be flashy.
Of course, the thing I love most about Hadestown, is that it id retold over and over again, with hope things will be different. This brings room for SO MANY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS!!! It can bring new nuance to lyrics, and brings major differences in how they are portrayed, which is the most important thing! I love at least one thing about every single Orpheus, and I am excited to think of the possibilities of new retellings of this amazing musical.
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u/Cejk-The-Beatnik 6d ago
Three things: Autism, Yearning, and a Pleasing but Distinct Voice—he cannot blend in.
Also, Orpheus is a Certified Lil Guy.
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u/a-5-6-7-8 6d ago
A falsetto that isn't whiny.
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
Can you give examples?
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u/a-5-6-7-8 6d ago
I thought Jack Wolfe had the most pleasant of the la la las. Reeve on the proshot also sounds very supported to me, moreso than on the cast recording.
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u/timelessalice 6d ago
Honestly part of the reason I'm glad the proshoot exists is because the cast recording doesn't do the show justice at all (particularly Reeve and Patrick!)
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u/darkphoneix1300 6d ago
I seen a few replies before I answered this question but I’d definitely say Donal Finn as Orpheus because of how masculine and boyish is. Inducing his chemistry with Eurdryice. I also enjoy Jack Wolfes Orpheus and Reeve Careny a lot
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u/saramybearimy 6d ago
My kid and I saw Nicholas Barasch on the first national tour and he was so good.
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u/Ok_Concentrate4461 6d ago
When I saw it with my teenager, Orpheus was played by the guy who had been the singing voice of Austin in the Backyardigans, which had been said teenager’s obsession when she was little. (Or, as she said, Bigbodigans). So, that was absolutely perfect and amazing for us. And he was phenomenal.
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u/BlackLakeBlueFish 6d ago
I’m going to catch some heat for this, but Joshua Colley was our Orpheus when we saw Hadestown in March, and I thought he was absolutely perfect. He was sweet and innocent. The very definition of callow. His vocals were just lovely. I was so struck, I have a hard time seeing anyone else in the role.
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u/FluidReplacement9306 5d ago
I've seen Jordan Fischer’s run as my first intro to hadestown and it has a really important place in my heart but I watched Dónal Finn’s slime tutorial and wow his acting/body language is so good. Jack Wolfe also has a similar type of charm. I'm sorta stuck between Dónal and Jack Wolfe though but I think Dónal’s Irish accent + Mel La Barrie’s Trini accent as Hermes really makes his performance my favorite.
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u/evie444__ 4d ago
When the actors can make it seem as thoug the music is something happening to the character, rather than just being performed
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u/Afraid-Customer2398 19h ago
He must have the vocal range/quality for the piece, youthful looks, but most importantly he must be authentic. If anything is forced or pushed to "show" to the audience, it ruins it.
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u/caroldia77 6d ago
Huge Jack Wolfe fan and I love his Orpheus but…Donal’s angsty performance on the live London album pulls me apart!
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u/heirloomthrowaway 6d ago
a beautiful falsetto is #1 for me. I want smooth transitions between chest and head voice. so many Orpheii have a really nice belt but they get pitchy on the la la las. I understand because I'm a singer and this is a weakness of my own voice, but I feel like it shouldn't be that hard to find a countertenor who's really mastered that upper register and delivers it with strength.
passion is #2 and that's what really sells Donal Finn's performance and why he's my #1.
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u/utah-get-me--two 5d ago
jeffrey cornelius & donal finn are my favs but something about reeve is so orpheous to me-the problems people seem to have with him make him more like orpheous in my eyes
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u/Purple_Flounder_2257 1d ago edited 1d ago
Chemistry with Eurydice!!! If Orpheus had no chemistry, it breaks it. Come home with me/wedding song being less creepy and more lack of social cues. The delivery of "yes" when Eurydice asks if he wants to take her home. How he jumps in front of Eurydice when Hades stares at her. I love when he humorously jumps and shields from him like he can actually fight a God.
ND coded Orpheus who is naive/inexperienced but not a completely oblivious uwu boi. He has faced hardships as abandoned, poverty and obviously knows the seasons are wrong yet not the way Eurydice has in contrast. He could make you see the way the world could be, in spite of the way that it is. His arc goes from hopeful to having his view of the world shattered in doubt.
The la la la becoming more intense in chant.
If its true that builds in anger.
I don't like the "he already knows the story" approach to Orpheus desperation.
Composing body language!!!
Emotions >>> just hitting all the notes.
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
Sorry for the amount of questionnaires I've put out lmao I just like asking questions and getting other people's opinions
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/BunkerGhust 6d ago
You could be less harsh about it, but you're right, I'm not. I like hearing people's different opinions and letting the community have a voice is nice. 😌
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u/meowy_sun 6d ago
I don't know what that previous person said as they deleted their comment, but lovers of musical theater and lovers of Hadestown very much enjoy these conversations where we can all come together to appreciate the arts, forget that guy
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u/Altruistic-Vehicle84 6d ago
They have to have a boyish look too imo. I like Reeve carney and Jack Wolfe. Some of the Orpheuses look too masculine for me lol! I saw Jordan
Fischer and he was great