Reeve Carney, who created the role of Orpheus in Broadway's Tony-winning Hadestown, played his final performance November 19 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Carney, the musical's last original leading player, is succeeded by Jordan Fisher (Dear Evan Hansen, Sweeney Todd) beginning November 20.
On hand to mark the occasion were director Rachel Chavkin plus original cast members André De Shields, Amber Gray, Patrick Page, and Eva Noblezada. Watch Reeve take his final bow in the video above and photos below.
Carney
began playing Orpheus in 2017 at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre before
transferring with the production to London’s West End and Broadway in
2018 and 2019, respectively.
Reeve Carney
André De Shield
Reeve Carney and Amber Gray
Reeve Carney and Patrick Page
Company of Hadestown
Company of Hadestown
Solea Pfeiffer, Reeve Carney, and Betty Who
Reeve Carney and Patrick Page
Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada
Eva Noblezada, Amber Gray, Patrick Page, and Rachel Chavkin
Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada
Reeve Carney
Reeve Carney, Rachel Chavkin, Patrick Page, and Eva Noblezada
"It feels so deep and tough to say goodbye to Reeve, who has been with the show since Edmonton in 2017," said composer Anaïs Mitchell in an earlier statement. "His Orpheus underwent a massive reimagining en route to Broadway, and Reeve, in his graceful way, taught us so much about who that character wanted to become. There’s no one the phrase ‘earth angel’ describes more exactly. Sending mad love and gratitude as he flies off to his next earth mission."
"Reeve helped define both stories at the center of this show—the cosmic love story of a young man who changes the laws of the space time continuum to save his lover, and the political story of a ‘poor boy’ who gets angry enough to question ‘the king,’" added director Chavkin. "His extraordinary musicianship as guitarist and singer was an endless source of inspiration to both Anaïs and I in the creation of the show, and his elegant leadership as an actor and company member, both onstage and off, will be deeply missed."
"My gratitude goes out to Anaïs Mitchell and all who have touched this show with their divine intention," stated Carney. "To my fellow cast mates, who have been with me in the trenches, giving of themselves freely and unceasingly, on and off the stage. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And to our incredible audiences here at The Walter Kerr Theatre… It has been an honor bringing this story to life for you all night after night over these many years."
Hadestown currently also stars Tony winner Lillias White as Hermes, Solea Pfeiffer as Eurydice, Betty Who as Persephone, and Phillip Boykin as Hades. They are joined by Amelia Cormack, Lindsey Hailes, and Brit West as the Fates. The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Chibueze Ihumoa, Alex Puette, and Grace Yoo. The cast also includes swings Sojourner Brown, Brandon Cameron, Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, Alex Lugo, and Tanner Ray Wilson.
Singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s folk- and jazz-infused musical layers the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with that of Hades and Persephone, intertwining the actions—and consequences—of gods and mortals. Hadestown originally began as a theatrical concert performed by Mitchell.
The creative team features Tony-winning set designer Rachel Hauck, Tony-nominated costume designer Michael Krass, Tony-winning lighting designer Bradley King, Tony-winning sound designers Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, choreographer David Neumann, and dramaturg Ken Cerniglia. Musical supervision and vocal arrangements are by Liam Robinson, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tony winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose.
