Hanford High gets special permission to stage this 8-time Tony award winner

Tri-Cities students are back from spring break, and ready to wrap up the school year in the next couple of months. But before graduation season, there are sports seasons to finish, student events to attend, and for drama departments – the last performance of the year.

Some schools in Tri-Cities do their big musical production in the winter, with a smaller performance in spring. Other schools swap the two, with the big performance in spring.

One school in Richland does a big musical in the winter, and another musical in the spring. This year, the school has been working on a particularly unique show for their spring performance. Here’s what to know.

‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ at Hanford

Hanford High School drama’s spring production this year is “Hadestown: Teen Edition.”

“Hadestown” has won eight Tony awards, including Best Musical. Based on Greek mythology, it tells the love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone in a contemporary retelling. The music is inspired by American folk and vintage New Orleans jazz.

In the show summary, the folk opera is described as pitting “industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.”

“The heart of the message is that greed in every form is bad and it can and will corrupt the world we live in,” Hanford student Abby Funk, who is in the show’s Workers Ensemble, said in a statement to the Herald. “But the show also encourages us not to lose hope because as long as someone still sees the world as it could be, then the world can still change.”

Funk noted loving this message, and also mentioned a quote from the musical: “To the world we dream about, and the one we live in now.”

Hanford drama secured ‘Hadestown’ rights

“Hadestown” is currently still on its original Broadway run, as well as the West End and is on national tour. But rights for a Teen Edition were released to be used by high school programs. The only difference in the Teen Edition is the key of some of the songs, lowered for student performers.

“I have never heard of a huge Broadway hit still in its first run releasing licensing rights. That process usually takes decades...” said co-director Megan Johnson in an email to the Herald. “It’s truly unprecedented.”

Hanford Drama received licensing rights last spring, but had to wait for the national tour to pass through Yakima and Spokane over the winter before making any announcements. Johnson told the Herald they’re required to make the show “uniquely theirs,” with new choreography, costumes and staging.

“I got to see the original cast perform the show on Broadway a few years ago…” Johnson said. “It was such a beautiful, epic story that felt both ancient and new, both universal and deeply personal. It’s humbling to work on a profound piece of artistry, and we have all poured our hearts in the show.”

Hanford students prepare for ‘Hadestown’

The musical premieres this weekend.

“What excites me most is getting to connect with the audience in a really meaningful way,” said student Quinton Spring, who plays Hermes. “Being part of this cast, creating something together, and watching it all come to life, it’s a reminder of why I love doing this in the first place.”

Performances will be held in the school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on May 2, 3, 9 and 10, and at 6 p.m. on May 7 and 8.

Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.

The recommended viewing age for “Hadestown: Teen Edition” is 13 and older due to mature themes. There is no explicit language or staging, according to Johnson.

Lobby doors open an hour before the show starts, and theater doors open 30 minutes after that. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early is recommended, as there is absolutely no late seating. If you get there after the show starts, you will have to wait for intermission to get in.

This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.