HERMES
In Greek mythology, fleet-footed guide, messenger of the
gods, and conductor of souls to the Underworld. In some
tellings, it was Hermes who taught Orpheus to play the
lyre. In this telling, he is a worldly-wise narrator, masterof-ceremonies, and friend and mentor to Orpheus.
FATES
Three goddesses who together determined the destinies
of mortals, measuring their lifespans and apportioning
their suffering. In this story, they follow, fluster, niggle,
and cast doubt and insecurity in the minds of some.
ORPHEUS
Son of the muse of epic poetry, engaged to marry
Eurydice. With his golden voice and lyre, Orpheus
charmed all living things, even rocks and stones. This
modernized account features an Orpheus on a musical
mission beyond his love for Eurydice.
EURYDICE
A dryad, or tree nymph, engaged to marry Orpheus. On
the day of their wedding, she was bitten by a poisonous
snake, died, and descended into the Underworld. The
Eurydice of this version is a runaway who has experienced
much hardship in her young life, which makes it hard for
her to trust others.
PERSEPHONE
Goddess of the seasons, flowers, fruit, and grain. By
arrangement, she spent half the year with Hades in the
Underworld, causing fall and winter above. The other
half she returned to her mother, bringing spring and
summer with her. In this modern version, she plays the
good-time party girl to dull her disenchantment with said
arrangement and other problems in her marriage.
HADES
God of the dead, ruler of the Underworld, sometimes
called “the Wealthy One.” He fell in love with and married
Persephone. Her mother, the goddess of the harvest,
refused to bless the earth while Persephone was below.
In this version of the story, he is a greedy and zealous
industrialist.
WORKERS CHORUS
In ancient Greek theater, the Chorus sang, spoke, and
danced in unison. Often representing the voice of citizens,
the Chorus commented on the actions of characters and
served as an emotional conduit for the audience.
