The Show that Won’t Go On: Spring Musical Production of Hadestown Grinds to a Halt

The lights went out before the story could begin for School Without Walls’ spring musical. On Jan. 8, the Walls theater department canceled its planned production of Hadestown just one week after casting was completed, citing logistical and financial challenges.

According to Olivia Tyndall, Walls drama teacher and theater department director who prefers to be addressed as Mx. Liv, the cancellation stemmed from several issues, including budgetary constraints that made it difficult to secure rehearsal spaces, venues, and performance dates. “The fear [of not having a musical] had been building for a while,” Mx. Liv explained. The final blow came when the department was unable to secure the rights to perform Hadestown. “The rights-element was the cherry on top,” they added.

The announcement was delivered to the newly cast group during a meeting on January 8. Eloise Linden (’28), who arrived late to the meeting, recalled: “I thought that they were going to tell us the rehearsal schedule, and then I saw everyone’s faces—they were all sad and somber.” Fellow cast member Daphne Raviv (’28) described the atmosphere as tense: “[The] whole thing just felt really tense.”

Students had mixed reactions to the news. Xavier Jackson (’28) described a wide range of emotions among cast members: “Some people were shocked, some people were saying, ‘No, it can’t be canceled,’ and others were in tears.” Despite their disappointment, Jackson expressed understanding for Mx. Liv’s position: “[It] was going to be a hard conversation no matter [what] way they said it.”

For many students, the musical represented more than just a performance—it was an opportunity to connect with others and channel their creative energy. Raviv noted, “Part of the reason why I was excited to do it was because you could tell that there was such a strong community with everyone that had done it in the past.” Linden echoed this sentiment, explaining, “I just really like musical theater.” Mx. Liv emphasized the importance of such productions: “[It’s] wonderful to have something to put your creative energy towards.”

The cancellation left students grappling with disappointment. Jackson admitted, “At first I was really surprised because they had already gone through with the whole casting, so I had no doubt in my mind that the play was going to be going on. I was very much disappointed.” Meanwhile, Raviv reflected that “It all felt kind of surreal that it was happening in the first place.”

Looking ahead, both students and teachers are brainstorming ways to prevent similar issues in future productions. Mx. Liv expressed determination: “We will figure it out somehow. Even if it has to be a much smaller scale—if we have to do it in Commons C if everything else flops—so be it.” Some students also voiced their willingness to help ensure future musicals succeed. Raviv suggested greater student involvement: “If they want a full musical to happen in the future, we’re going to have to also step in.”

As for Hadestown, this particular production won’t go on—but Walls students remain hopeful for what comes next.