New Hadestown Casting- Page 16

[hicaesar]

Posted: 1/23/26 at 1:41pm

If you can see the show before March I 1000% reccomend it. I've enjoyed every cast I've seen but the current cast is truly special.  Jack absolutely becomes Orpheous - it's truly remarkable. Even when he glances across the stage it's telling a story.  Morgan and Kurt are also exceptional - Kurt has a really unique take on Hermes.  Honestly when Kurt, Morgan, and Jack are all on stage you don't know who you should watch because they are all so good you will miss something.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/23/26 at 2:54pm

Kurt's Hermes is so strong . Definitely my second favorite after Andre. And, IMO, the strongest out of the five leads currently.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 1:48pm

Who's heading way down this evening to see the new cast's debut?

Updated On: 3/3/26 at 01:48 PM

[darreyl102]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 4:06pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "quizking101 said: "A select few on Twitter arealready trying to whip up outrage about Dourdan’s checkered personal history.

https://x.com/bobbystivic/status/2011599412292960405?s=46&t=0XG46rJiPEOy8dyIeDsimg

https://x.com/probstsroxanne/status/2011601437806248007?s=46&t=0XG46rJiPEOy8dyIeDsimg"

Why do people do this, it's disgusting that they have such little in their lives that they need to dig up this type of stuff"

How is it Disgusting? Like it or not, that's a part of their history, and they are public figures. It's not some hidden thing, it's public knowledge and public record . What's disgusting is beating the crap out of your partner and then basically getting off with basically zero consequences for it. 

Updated On: 3/3/26 at 04:06 PM

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 4:35pm

How do you know there's zero repercusions? Are you personal friends with them? Is this implying people can't change, because that is extremely unfair. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/3/26 at 4:52pm

witchoftheeast2 said: "How do you know there's zero repercusions? Are you personal friends with them? Is this implying people can't change, because that is extremely unfair."

Well, he didn't have many consequences. And sorry, but I don't really think men who beat their partners are capable of that kind of change.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 11:59am

I'm not particularly interested in the new cast, which is good cause I saw Jack, Morgan, and Kurt many times and I thought they were all 100% perfection. Maybe the next cast they will bring Kurt back and I'll have a reason to revisit. 

I think the Hermes casting is a bit risky for this show...  Hadestown is a show that attracts all people from all walks of life and having a non-binary Hermes risks pushing some audiences away. You can say that is right or wrong, but it's true. I wouldn't take my parents to see the current cast, I absolutely would take them to see any previous cast. 

And then there is Hades... that's really disapointing on the part of the producers - and that's the #1 reason I don't want to see this current cast. 

I do love this show but....  interesting decisions. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 12:01pm

hicaesar said: "I'm not particularly interested in the new cast, which is good cause I saw Jack, Morgan, and Kurt many times and I thought they were all 100% perfection. Maybe the next cast they will bring Kurt back and I'll have a reason to revisit.

I think the Hermes casting is a bit risky for this show... Hadestown is a show that attracts all people from all walks of life and having a non-binary Hermes risks pushing some audiences away. You can say that is right or wrong, but it's true. I wouldn't take my parents to see the current cast, I absolutely would take them to see any previous cast.

And then there is Hades... that's really disapointingon the part of the producers - and that's the #1 reason I don't want to see this current cast.

I do love this show but.... interesting decisions."

Oh Jan …

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 7:51pm

hicaesar said: "I think the Hermes casting is a bit risky for this show... Hadestown is a show that attracts all people from all walks of life and having a non-binary Hermes risks pushing some audiences away. You can say that is right or wrong, but it's true. I wouldn't take my parents to see the current cast, I absolutely would take them to see any previous cast."

Legitimately some of the stupidest commentary I've ever seen on this forum, congratulations.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 9:44pm

TheatreFan4 said: 
Legitimately some of the stupidest commentary I've ever seen on this forum, congratulations."

I'm sorry you feel that way. Just sharing my thoughts. Have you seen Hadestown? How do you feel about the current cast? 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 9:55pm

hicaesar said: "TheatreFan4 said:
Legitimately some of the stupidest commentary I've ever seen on this forum, congratulations."

I'm sorry you feel that way. Just sharing my thoughts. Have you seen Hadestown? How do you feel about the current cast?"

I've seen it twice and it's a role that's been cast incredibly diversely from the start before Broadway. I'm not exactly sure what J Harrison's identity has anything to do with this role? If their Enby identity is a problem, then I regret to inform you that there are Enby and Trans people in almost every show on Broadway. The primary cover for Hermes in the UK was a Transwoman (also one of the Fates) and they played the role on a regular interval and to much acclaim. 

So again, what about J Harrison in this role is a problem? They're a person in makeup and hair. Like everyone else in this role. 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 10:47pm

"I've seen it twice and it's a role that's been cast incredibly diversely from the start before Broadway."

Great - so you like the show as well if you've seen it twice - we have that in common! I was actually surprised how much I loved Kurt in the role of Hermes because I always associated Hermes as a POC. 

My personal issue with this cast is much more focused on Hades than Hermes - but I think the casting choice is bold for Hermes as well in a musical that attracts a traditional audience. But I can see the other side of that coin... that it's great to give a non-binary actor an opportunity for this role and in front of that audience. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/6/26 at 10:56pm

hicaesar said: ""
My personal issue with this cast is much more focused on Hades than Hermes - but I think the casting choice is bold for Hermes as well in a musical that attracts a traditional audience. But I can see the other side of that coin... that it's great to give a non-binary actor an opportunity for this role and in front of that audience."

J Harrison has a Tony, they don't need "an opportunity" they are a selling point to bring people to the show. And this a show that is scored entirely with folk music, the "traditional" audience came to them not the other way around. It spent a decade plus being worked on with perseverance that there was something worth while and were rewarded for that. Don't insult them because of how dim you are. 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 12:27am

I don't appreciate being called dim or stupid when I have been very polite in this conversation.  I'm only trying to share my thougts on this casting :) 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 10:54am

hicaesar said: "I don't appreciate being called dim or stupid when I have been very polite in this conversation. I'm only trying to share my thougts on this casting :)"

Then try not to appear as such. Piss off with the respectability, you're not being polite you're being rude. Criticizing the hiring of an Enby actor in the same breath as someone who has Dosmetic Violence charges.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 10:59am

hicaesar said: "I'm not particularly interested in the new cast, which is good cause I saw Jack, Morgan, and Kurt many times and I thought they were all 100% perfection. Maybe the next cast they will bring Kurt back and I'll have a reason to revisit.

I think the Hermes casting is a bit risky for this show... Hadestown is a show that attracts all people from all walks of life and having a non-binary Hermes risks pushing some audiences away. You can say that is right or wrong, but it's true. I wouldn't take my parents to see the current cast, I absolutely would take them to see any previous cast.

And then there is Hades... that's really disapointingon the part of the producers - and that's the #1 reason I don't want to see this current cast.

I do love this show but.... interesting decisions."

Aside from the casual bigotry--suggesting that audience distaste for a specific group should warrant that group not being cast irrespective of their immense talent-- this is also such a wildly ignorant comment re the way broadway works. you ACTUALLY think there are ticket buyers who would both be (a) turned off at the thought of a nonbinary Hermes AND (b) would research the background of the actors in this show and avoid coming to see it based on their prejudice? What planet are you living on?

It seems like YOU have a very niche problem here--you follow theater, you want to bring your close minded parents to the show, and you are afraid THEY might be turned off by a nonbinary (mythological) character. Tough break. 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 12:03pm

"Criticizing the hiring of an Enby actor in the same breath as someone who has Dosmetic Violence charges."

I do agree that those are not comparable - in my mind it seems like they are both interesting / bold casting choices - but for extremely different reasons. 

[yyys]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 12:23pm

I can tell you right now than J Harrison’s vocals are far superior than Kurt’s. This is based on the bootleg I heard….i am seeing it this afternoon..

Updated On: 3/7/26 at 12:23 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 12:30pm

darreyl102 said: "witchoftheeast2 said: "quizking101 said: "A select few on Twitter arealready trying to whip up outrage about Dourdan’s checkered personal history.

https://x.com/bobbystivic/status/2011599412292960405?s=46&t=0XG46rJiPEOy8dyIeDsimg

https://x.com/probstsroxanne/status/2011601437806248007?s=46&t=0XG46rJiPEOy8dyIeDsimg"

Why do people do this, it's disgusting that they have such little in their lives that they need to dig up this type of stuff"

How is it Disgusting? Like it or not, that's a part of their history, and they are public figures. It's not some hidden thing, it's public knowledge and public record . What's disgusting is beating the crap out of your partner and then basically getting off with basically zero consequences for it."

Oh good grief. There were still consequences for it. People also don’t seem to reconcile the fact that he was dealing with a substance abuse issue at the time, and that probably had influence over his behavior at the time. I work in a field where I regularly see people whose lives have been upended because of drugs and mental illness, which sometimes has led them to criminal activity. However, there is something to be said for understanding nuance, practicing non-judgment, and allowing people the opportunity to show they have the potential to get their lives back on track. If that didn’t exist, then nobody would ever be able to improve themselves as people.

This incident was 15 years ago. It probably still haunts him and clearly he has made strides to better his life enough where the HADESTOWN casting team placed faith in him for the role. You can decline to go see him if you feel so strongly about something you read on his Wikipedia, but don’t act like some self-righteous keyboard warrior on a pedestal. One day it could very well be you having done something you regret, only to have people who know you and don’t know you decide to pound out reductive remarks against you online.

 

[helvizz]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 12:43pm

I was there for the first night of this cast. J Harrison Ghee was absolutely wonderful as Hermes. His singing was to die for and his stage presence was just as strong. Gaby Moreno was also delightful as Persephone, she was clearly having a blast and brought the house down with her voice.

Joshua Colley and Jordan Tyson were very good as well. I'd wait a few weeks before seeing them so that they can grow into their roles - Joshua's falsetto can use some improvement, though his belt is already excellent.

All in all, I think the show is in great hands.

 

[hicaesar]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 1:31pm

Thanks for the review - that's great to hear.  Hermes stage presence is extremely important for this show. I never got to see Andre (I boarded the train too late?) but Lillias, Daniel, and Kurt could not be more different from each other and they all 3 blew me away with the choices they made and were so enjoyable to watch.   For the record... Daniel made me cry the most though haha. 

If I get to see this cast (probably not going back to NYC during this run.. but it could happen!) I'm guessing J Harrison will also impress me. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 3:17pm

I think the Hermes casting is a bit risky for this show... Hadestown is a show that attracts all people from all walks of life and having a non-binary Hermes risks pushing some audiences away. You can say that is right or wrong, but it's true. I wouldn't take my parents to see the current cast, I absolutely would take them to see any previous cast.

What a horrendous comment. It reminds me of clips from the Oprah show where she had Ellen DeGeneres on talking about her coming out experience and some dumb woman in the audience said "WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL MY CHILDREN ABOUT YOU?!?!?"

You wouldn't take your family to this show because a stunning, Tony Award winner actor was cast as Hermes? So, you think tourists who see the show are suddenly going to be outraged and leave? Or tell people "omg there is some dude in makeup on the stage!!!"? Would your parents explode? J Harrison is exceptional and a true asset to the company. 

And you can say you are being polite and don't appreciate being insulted but bigotry, especially polite bigotry will and should always be called out here. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 3/7/26 at 3:28pm

 How is it Disgusting? Like it or not, that's a part of their history, and they are public figures. It's not some hidden thing, it's public knowledge and public record . What's disgusting is beating the crap out of your partner and then basically getting off with basicallero consequences for it. 

None of that is accurate, mental health and substance abuser disorder are real things, and he's been successfully clean and doing well for many years. That is what you should focus on. Canceling someone no longer works in the world, especially something he has atoned for. And I sincerely hope you aren't one of the losers seeing Death of a Salesman and justifying it by saying "Oh, if he assaults ANOTHER staff member then I really won't support his work!". Mr Dourdan has done the work and changed his life, unlike that bloated, red faced abuser at the Winter Garden. Do better.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 3/10/26 at 4:11am

Sutton Ross said: "How is it Disgusting? Like it or not, that's a part of their history, and they are public figures. It's not some hidden thing, it's public knowledge and public record . What's disgusting is beating the crap out of your partner and then basically getting off with basicallero consequences for it.

None of that is accurate, mental health and substance abuser disorder are real things, and he's been successfully clean and doing well for many years. That is what you should focus on. Canceling someone no longer works in the world, especially something he has atoned for. And I sincerely hope you aren't one of the losers seeing Death of a Salesman and justifying it by saying "Oh, if he assaults ANOTHER staff member then I really won't support his work!". Mr Dourdan has done the work and changed his life, unlike that bloated, red faced abuser at the Winter Garden. Do better."

How am I exactly Am I trying to cancel someone? A previous poster brought it up, and someone said that it was disgusting to bring it up. I responded to them saying that it's not disgusting to point out someone's past, since it is a thing of public record. Never did I say that they shouldn't be cast in the part or anything of the sort. Just agreeing with another person in this thread that what happened was awful and that they didn't really suffer any true consequences, at least in the legal aspect. And no, I'm not seeing " death of a salesman". 

[Mrs. Lovett's bf]

Posted: 3/11/26 at 2:02pm

Seeing people jump through hoops to excuse Gary Dourdan's behavior is something else. "He had mental health issues, it was the drugs" blah blah blah. This man broke a woman's nose and got a slap on the wrist. He'll always be a scumbag woman beater and should never work on Broadway again.