Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Theatergoers across the country eagerly anticipate the 73rd annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 9, but Joey Monda is particularly excited and hopeful. After all, the Youngstown native and 2011 Wright State University musical theater graduate co-produced Anais Mitchell’s acclaimed, beautiful, dark, and tuneful jazz musical “Hadestown,” which received 14 nominations including best musical.
Inspired by Greek mythology, particularly the relationships between Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, and Persephone, “Hadestown” was previously seen off-Broadway and at London’s National Theatre. The production’s romantic depth, eerie relevancy, intimate originality, keen universality, fabulous score, and superb direction has taken Broadway by storm, especially as a crowd-pleasing alternative within a crowded season that catered heavily toward screen-to-stage adaptations.
“This show presents two classic love stories and there’s a reason why these stories have been retold for thousands of years — it’s just classic drama,” said Monda, 29. “And when you put all of this toward the current political climate, in which the loudest voice wins (in addition to growing concerns) about people (being afraid) of someone who is different from them, the show’s themes are not just American themes but global themes. But at the heart of ‘Hadestown’ are all the questions art has struggled for thousands of years to deal with. Can art change the world? Orpheus literally writes a song that can change the seasons and undo climate change. Art has such a powerful impact. The battle of art, represented by Orpheus, versus commerce, represented by Hades, is definitely present.”
Added Monda, “I think the 14 Tony nominations are indicative of not only the amazing storytelling in the show, but the amazing family that has gotten the show to where it is. It’s been a communal experience since Anais first began writing it over 10 years ago when it started as a school touring community theater project of hers that became a concept album and (ultimately) became a full theatrical experience. Community and the idea of accessibility and representation has always been a part of the show’s DNA. The nominations represent the power of how much we all want to see great art during this time. It’s such an honor to be a part of it.”
