Anaïs Mitchell is the creator of the folk opera Hadestown, a work described by the City of Draper as a "beguiling sung-through musical" that pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. According to an undated document from the City of Draper, the musical is inspired by traditions of classic American folk music and vintage New Orleans jazz. The production follows two intertwining love stories involving the young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as the immortal King Hades and lady Persephone, inviting audiences on a journey to the underworld and back.
In a production of Hadestown: Teen Edition presented by the Draper Arts Council, the musical was modified for teen actors to perform for family audiences. According to an undated document from the City of Draper, this specific teen edition is only available for school and youth groups with performers who are 19 years old or younger. The production was scheduled to be held at the Draper Amphitheater on July 31, August 1, 3, 6, 7, and 8. The document noted that the gates were set to open at 7:00 PM with the show starting at 7:30 PM.
According to a July 29, 2026, report by the Draper Journal, the musical has inspired a passionate fan base since its Broadway premiere in 2019. The Draper Arts Council production featured a cast of young members ranging in age from 15 to 19. The report stated that 170 children had auditioned for the roles. The production borrowed technical storytelling elements from the Broadway version of the show, including a rotating stage, fog, and light fixtures that swing dramatically back and forth during one scene. A live band, composed of local teens, performed the score for the production.
In the retelling of the myth by Mitchell, the underworld is depicted as an industrial hellscape. The plot of the musical centers on the relationships between two couples in a tale narrated by the god Hermes. The story follows Orpheus, an idealistic young musician who falls in love with Eurydice, a girl struggling with hunger and poverty. Driven by a need for warmth and food, Eurydice ends up on a train to Hadestown. Simultaneously, the relationship between Persephone, the goddess of spring, and Hades, the god of the underworld, has become contentious, causing the seasons to be off-kilter and making it difficult for mortals to grow crops. To resolve these issues, Orpheus descends to the underworld with a song to attempt to bring Eurydice back.
According to the July 29, 2026, Draper Journal, the production was directed by Cassidy Ross, who had previously directed "Beetlejuice" at the Draper Arts Council the year prior. The report noted that the musical's themes explore the tension between industry and nature, as well as doubt against faith and fear against love.
What this means for Draper
Residents of Draper encounter the work of Anaïs Mitchell through community theatrical events like the Draper Arts Council's teen production. These performances provide local youth with opportunities to engage with complex musical scores and professional-style technical elements at the Draper Amphitheater, bringing classic musical storytelling to local audiences.
