“Hadestown” rehearsal (Photo – PUSD)
PUSD’s All-Star Musical, which draws on the talent of high school students and teachers from all of the district’s high schools, first premiered in 2023 with the production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. The PUSD All-Star Musical returns this January with the production of Anais Mitchell’s Hadestown: Teen Edition in partnership with the Tony Award winning Pasadena Playhouse.
By News Desk
Students from all six PUSD high schools auditioned for acting roles and applied for technical positions. The production team is composed of performing arts teachers, including former theater professionals, whose industry experience and passion for the stage are inspiring high school students to pursue careers as actors, singers, set and costume designers, stage technicians, directors, and producers.
“Our All-Star Musical production is more than a performance; it’s an extraordinary learning opportunity that enhances student skills, creativity, and teamwork,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D. “Whether students are on stage or behind the scenes, they gain valuable experience that prepares them for future careers, builds confidence, and fuels a lifelong love for the arts.”
Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Hadestown intertwines two mythic tales – one of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and the other of King Hades and his wife Persephone. The musical features Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by an ensemble of young actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown: Teen Edition will be a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience.
“We’re thrilled to engage our students and community in the second PUSD All-Star Musical,” said Karen Anderson, PUSD Arts & Enrichment Coordinator. “The opportunity to explore the themes of the groundbreaking show, Hadestown, with the cast and crew, as well as student audiences, is beyond exciting. I can’t wait to see how our students interpret the show as they design sets, costumes, and props, and develop these age-old characters.”
The All-Star Musical is made possible through PUSD’s investment in arts education a California Strong Workforce career technical education grant for technical theater, the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation.
Hadestown: Teen Edition Producer: Karen Anderson, PUSD Arts & Enrichment Coordinator Director: Jessica Volpi, Blair High School January 29: 10:30 am January 30: 10:30 am January 31: 7:00 pm February 1: 7:00 pm Location Gladiss Edwards Auditorium Pasadena High School 2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd Pasadena, CA 91107 Tickets can be purchased at this link.
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