DIRECTOR'S NOTE
When Hadestown first opened on Broadway in 2019 I instantly fell in love. Since it won the Tony Award that same year for Best Musical, I have had the privilege to see it on Broadway 3 times. The show spoke to me on a very deep and personal level and was instrumental in helping me process some things that I was going through at the time. I used to dream of the time in the distant future that I would get to direct this show that meant so much to me at Liahona. If you were to ask me a year ago when I thought that time would be, I would have guessed sometime between 2029-2032. As fate would have it, just before the end of the school year, the production team announced that they would be allowing high-schools to perform Hadestown while it was still on Broadway. This type of move is rare and I knew I had to take the opportunity and do it now and I am SO GLAD that I did. The tears and joy, struggles and pain, happiness and beauty that I have been able to share with the students and the production team is priceless. These are memories and this is an experience that I will never forget.
One of the absolutely beautiful things about this show is the number of powerful messages that can be pulled to help guide us in our lives. With this production, the message that I would like to emphasize is the importance of faith and trust in what you know (or maybe just believe) and moving forward. It is so easy to allow the doubts and fears to overwhelm you, to confuse you and to make you change course. It's easy to forget or doubt the things you once knew and had faith in.
Meanest dog you’ll ever meet - It ain’t the hound dog in the street
He bares his teeth and tears your skin, But brother, that’s the worst of him
The dog you really got to dread, Is the one that howls inside your head
It's him whose howling drives men mad, And a mind to its undoing
Too often we let the noise of the world messes with us and we forget that the Savior is walking behind us and calling out to us-
You are not alone
I am right behind you
And I have been all along
The darkest hour
Of the darkest night
Comes right before the dawn
The next time that you feel confused, hurt or doubtful of things you knew once, I encourage you to read the scriptures and look for the voice of the Savior and listen to him as he calls to you with love.
Thank you so much for your support of the arts in the Liahona Community.
Jordan Long
Director
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS AND PARTNERS:
Cook Center for Human Connection, Joseph & Kathleen Sorenson Legacy Foundation, McGhie Family, Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, Lisa & Scott McDougle, Bevan Carr and Jeanine Loukota-Carr, In-Line Contracting LLC, Legacy Nutrition, Joyful Birth Midwifery/Joyful Moms and Families Wellness, 97th Floor, Gayle Dubravac Voice Lessons
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It isn't easy being the spouse of a theatre teacher. As we continue on in yet another production, we want to thank the AMAZING Theatre Teacher spouses, Aubrey Long, Melody Hadfield, Pete McGirr, and Dave Christensen who support us with love and help wherever they can, and do it better than we could ever dream.
We could never do these shows without the support of the parents! Thanks to all the parents who volunteered to help in so many ways, plus the love you give your students at home.
Additonal Special Thanks to: Michelle Bradley, Lily Bennion, Stacie Bennion, Ryan Brown, Chris Hults, Liahona Teachers & Staff, Families of the Cast & Crew
