Hal Wesley Rogers Discusses His New Role in the Musical HADESTOWN

Originally from Leduc, Alberta, just 15 minutes south of Edmonton, Hal Wesley Rogers first discovered his passion for acting after seeing the Citadel Theatre's 2006 production of Peter Pan. Rogers, now based in Vancouver, returns to his home province for the Pre-Broadway Canadian Premiere of Hadestown. The Citadel's Sydnee Bryant (fun fact: they went to the same high school!) spoke with Rogers about his role as a Worker and what it's like to appear on the Citadel stage for the first time.

Citadel Theatre: When did you first become involved with Hadestown?

Hal Wesley Rogers: I auditioned in May of 2017.

CT: Were you familiar with the show before your audition?

HWR: Yeah. A friend of mine told me about the show in the summer of 2014, and I listened to Anaïs Mitchell's concept album and followed the show's progress through the production in New York last year. I was very excited when I heard about the new production at the Citadel.

CT: Did you know the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice prior to landing this role?

HWR: I had heard about it but I don't think it was until I listened to Anaïs' concept album that I really knew the story.

CT: You're playing one of the Workers. How would you describe them?

HWR: The Workers fulfill the role of the Greek chorus. They are the people that are affected by all of the things these gods do. They're kind of another way into the audience.

CT: How have your previous experiences prepared you for this role?

HWR: This is a little bit different than anything I've ever done. I've worked on one new musical, a few years ago in Vancouver, called Best Laid Plans. That experience helped me in how to approach a new work, having the writer in the room, dealing with changes on the fly as we're rehearsing.

CT: What's it like working with Rachel Chavkin and Anaïs Mitchell on Hadestown?

HWR: It's been fantastic. They are both geniuses. Rachel gives really great direction and Anaïs' music is just so beautiful. To see her trying to bring her vision [to life] - that's really cool to witness.

CT: What has been your favourite number or scene to rehearse so far?

HWR: My favourite song is Any Way The Wind Blows. It's a song the Fates are singing to Eurydice about how life will throw things at you and you have to deal with it.

CT: What should audiences expect when they come to see Hadestown?

HWR: They should expect really great music and a really touching story that is relevant to our society today.

CT: This is kind of a homecoming for you, since you grew up in Leduc, Alberta. Is this your first show at the Citadel?

HWR: Yeah. The Citadel was the first place I ever saw professional theatre, so to get to come back and work at the Citadel, it's really full-circle for me.

CT: Where did you study acting?

HWR: I did two years here at the University of Alberta and then I transferred to Simon Fraser University. I studied acting in the vein of experimental theatre and then I did lots of community theatre for musicals.

CT: When did you first become interested in acting?

HWR: After seeing Peter Pan here at the Citadel, probably 16 or 17 years ago. That's when I really became interested in theatre. Then I studied theatre in high school and decided that's what I wanted to do.

CT: Several of the actors in Hadestown are originally from Edmonton and the surrounding area. What do you think it is about Edmonton that gives birth to so many actors?

HWR: I think the Citadel is a big part of that. They've been creating great work for years and their work inspires young people to pursue theatre - that's what got me started. That's a big part of Edmonton - the performance community.

Hadestown runs November 11 to December 3, 2017, at the Citadel Theatre. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 780.425.1820 or visit www.citadeltheatre.com.

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