The Kenworthy Preforming Arts Centre celebrated a century of bringing entertainment to Moscow Monday night with a screening of “Hadestown: The Musical.” The Historical downtown theater hosted the filmed Broadway production at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 as the Kenworthy continued its celebration of 100 years in the Moscow community.
The centennial milestone added significance to an evening centered around a modern Broadway production. For generations, the Kenworthy has served as a gathering place for Moscow residents and has provided the community with access to movies, performances and other forms of entertainment.
“Hadestown” written by Anais Mitchell, combined Greek Mythology with fold, blues and New Orleans-inspired jazz. The musical follows Orpheus, a young musician who travels to the underworld in an attempt to rescue Eurydice, his love. The story also explores the relationship between Hades and Persephone.
The filmed production featured the original Broadway cast, including Reeve Carney at Orpheus, Eva Noblezada as Eurydice, Amber Gray as Persephone, Patrick Page as Hades and André De Shields as Hermes.
For the University of Idaho students and other Moscow residents, Monday’s screening provided an opportunity to experience a Broadway production without leaving town.
The Kenworthy’s 100-year history also served as a reminder of the theater’s place in the Moscow community. While the entertainment shown inside the theater has changed over the decades, the building has continued to provide a space where community members can gather and experience the arts.
“Hadestown” originally opened on Broadway in 2019 and went on to win eight Tony Awards, including best musical. The original Broadway case recording also won the Grammy Award for best musical theater album.
The screening offered a different experience from attending a live Broadway performance. Close-up camera shots allowed the audience to see the performers’ expressions and details of the production while still capturing the energy of the stage.
For students living near campus, the event also provides an opportunity to take part in the Kenworthy’s centennial celebration and experience one of Broadway’s acclaimed modern musicals in downtown Moscow.
Although Hadestown was based on ancient mythology, its themes of love, loss, sacrifice and hope remained relevant to contemporary audiences. After 100 years of serving Moscow, the Kenworthy continued to bring new stories and performances to the Palouse. Monday night’s screening of Hadestown became part of that history, combining the theater’s century-long connection to the community with a modern Broadway production.
AJ Pearman can be reached at [email protected].