CLEVELAND — "Hadestown," Broadway's Tony and Grammy-winning best musical, has come to Cleveland. The national touring show opened its three-week run at the Connor Palace on Saturday.
There's a special buzz about this show — beyond the great story and performances. Not only does one of the leads in "Hadestown" call Northeast Ohio home — they also have a special connection to someone here at 3News.
Hannah Whitley has fond memories of traveling from her home in Twinsburg to Playhouse Square and seeing her first musical as a very young girl.
"I remember seeing 'Waitress' here, I remember seeing 'Lion King' here, 'Memphis' here, and always being like, 'Oh my God, that's what I want to do!'" Whitley said.
Twenty years later, her dream has come true, as she takes the stage in "Hadestown." She plays Eurydice, a star-crossed lover trying to escape poverty in the Greek tragedy reimagined into an early 20th century industrial setting.
"She is just the most complex, heartfelt, devastating character. I love her so much. Playing this role is so much of a dream come true because of who that this character is," Whitley said of her character.
We asked what it means for Whitley to return to Northeast Ohio and have family, friends, and teachers see her perform. She admitted to nerves, but quickly changed course to talk about the people who made her success possible.
"That's what's so fun about being home, because these people I give so much credit to this moment — to all my mentors, all my teachers," she said. "It's the people who believe in you from the get-go. Those people are so special, so for them to be able to see it, that's what is going to make my heart explode."
Whitley's gratitude also extends to Ball State University, from where she graduated just nine months ago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater.
"Ball State shaped me as an artist completely. There's no way I'd be able to do a show eight times a week without the training I got at Ball State," Whitley said.
Training that started her freshman year, in a dorm specifically for the theater, dance and design community. Among those on Hannah's floor, a senior resident advisor whose "head was in the clouds": meteorology and climatology major Payton Domschke.
"I remember you a door down dancing, yes. Singing. We shared the same communal bathroom. Singing opera in the shower. I very much
remember that," Payton recalled, adding that she knew little about theater and music, but made sure to give her residents a little forecast each day.
As for those who follow in her footsteps, Whitley says the best advice she can give, is to find good mentors, and hold on to them tightly.
"The truth is, not everybody's going to believe in you," she says. "Trust me. I had plenty of teachers who were like, 'Hmm, I don't see it in you,' but I also had plenty of teachers who did."
"Hadestown" runs through Feb. 19 at the Connor Palace Theater.