'Orpheus in the Underworld' is a 'hilarious romp through Heaven and Hell' at Detroit's Jam Handy

Staff pick

By Jerilyn Jordan

May 22, 2019 at 3:36 pm

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard - Inline - Content",
            "component": "35519556",
            "insertPoint": "5th",
            "startingPoint": "3",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "3",
            "maxInsertions": 100,
            
            "adList": [
              {
                "adPreset": "LeaderboardInline"
              }
            ]
          }
          
        ]

click to enlarge

'Orpheus in the Underworld' is a 'hilarious romp through Heaven and Hell' at Detroit's Jam Handy

Courtesy of Opera MODO

A lot has changed since Jacques Offenbach debuted his operetta, Orphée aux enfers, in 1858. For one, smallpox has been eradicated, so that’s cool.

Here to catch us up to speed with camp and comedy is the Opera MODO’s production of Orpheus in the Underworld. Billed as a “hilarious romp through Heaven and Hell,” Orpheus in the Underworld is told through two of Broadway’s most divisive productions — Cats and the ridiculous roller disco/Greek comedy Xanadu. Also joining in on the fun are characters from Chicago, West Side Story, Avenue Q, Joseph (and his dang technicolor dreamcoat), and Hamilton.

Performances begin at 7:30 Thursday, May 23 through Saturday, May 25 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 26; 2900 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; facebook.com/operamodo. Tickets are $15-$40.