One of the hottest shows on Broadway makes its St. Louis premiere tonight at the Fox Theatre.
“Hadestown,” the 2019 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, is part of the Fabulous Fox’s 40th anniversary Broadway series lineup. The musical by acclaimed singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell is a tale that intertwines two love stories and transports audiences on an adventure to the underworld and back.
The show’s North American tour recently added a name familiar to many St. Louis theatre fans: Actor Nathan Lee Graham joined the tour Oct. 4 as the tale’s narrator, Hermes. Graham hails from St. Louis and graduated from Webster University in Webster Groves, which he considers his second home.
He recently participated in a Q&A with Gazelle editor-in-chief Trish Muyco-Tobin about the current tour and how St. Louis has played a significant role in his theatrical journey over the years.
GAZELLE: You recently joined national tour in Houston, where critics say your performance as Hermes, the narrator, was the highlight of the show. One of your more recent appearances in St. Louis was as the Emcee in The Rep’s 2013 production of “Cabaret,” during which you also delivered a standout performance. Does playing the role of the “storyteller” bring more freedom for you as performer?
NATHAN LEE GRAHAM: Playing the “storyteller/narrator” does have a certain kind of freedom in that how you present the story can be unique unto oneself, but it also has very specific constraints as far the content of the story is concerned. So, although my vibe character-wise may be different from another actor’s rendering of Hermes, our jobs are the same: to guide the audience through a set interpretation of the written text! It’s like doing Shakespeare. The content will always be the same, but your interpretation is what makes the text come alive! I call it theatrical magic!
GAZELLE: “Hadestown” won the Tony Award for Best Musical, among other accolades. The actor who originated Hermes’ role on Broadway, André de Shields, also won a Tony for his performance. Does this create more pressure on you as a performer – or does it have the opposite effect?
NATHAN LEE GRAHAM: Oh my dear and exalted André de Shields! Having the opportunity to do any role that he has crafted and put his stamp on is nothing but an honor for me! He’s been a mentor and an inspiration of mine since I was a munchkin in a production of “The Wiz” in Los Angeles in the late ‘70s. I remember doing a fabulous production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” at STAGES St. Louis in the early ‘90s, and most recently, a full-circle moment portraying the Wiz in “The Wiz” at The Muny in 2018! The fact that I can call Mr. de Shields a friend and colleague is an added bonus! When the “role” is fabulous, one just tries to meet the moment!
GAZELLE: Many local theatre fans are anticipating your return to St. Louis, some of whom remember you from your Webster Conservatory days. What does it mean for you to be back in St. Louis and performing on the Fox Theatre stage?
NATHAN LEE GRAHAM: Well, gee, how lucky can you get! I haven’t been back at the Fabulous Fox Theatre since the late ‘90s when I did the first national tours of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Showboat.” That also happens to be the last time I toured. With movies and TV shows in-between, I’m thrilled to be back at the gorgeous Fox Theatre and in the great city of St. Louis! I consider Webster Groves and the Sargent Conservatory at Webster University my second home, where I learned so much that continues to sustain my life and career. So, it’s always a pleasure to visit my alma mater and my old stomping grounds – especially when I’m in a fantastic show like “Hadestown!”
Graham’s Broadway credits include being an original cast member for “The Wild Party’ and “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” He has appeared in box-office hits like “Zoolander,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Hitch,” as well as on numerous TV shows.
“Hadestown” won a total of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It also received the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
“Hadestown” is part of the 2022-2-23 U.S. Bank Broadway Series.
Tickets are available online via Metrotix or by calling 314-534-1111.
