Hadestown: Levi Kreis

Levi Kreis is Tony Award winning actor from Tennessee and spoke to Trae Holiday and Besa Gordon about what he brings to the role and his experience with the show.

“Not only is this in my world as someone who has been a singer-songwriter for years,” Kreis said. “But also the message of Hermes really spoke to me.”

He also spoke about the process of taking on such a storied role and project.

“A lot of my characters are things I’ve developed, people never know what’s going to hit next,” Kreis said. “This was an unconventional experience for me.”

He says he spent many years developing his own shows, working on new ideas and coming up with his own storylines. Taking on a developed role in an award-winning production was a challenge, but one which he relishes. 

“Props to the creative team which has allowed us to re-create our interpretation without tying our hands,” Kreis said. “When you have something that’s won eight Tony awards, you kinda want to make sure that the drain keeps moving in the right direction.”

Kreis also told the story of his first time in LA. He showed up to a blind audition for Rent, and was eventually selected for the national tour.

“I was scared to death,” Kreis said. 

He said the experience showed him the importance of diversifying his talent and educating himself to sustain what has become a 20+ year career in theater. 

“At the end of the day, Hermes, the narrator, would want you to realize that you are the divine authority of your own life,” Kreis said. “There is a universe that wants to say yes to you, and when you lean into that you can change the outcome.”

Hadestown begins its run at the Paramount Theatre on July 12th and concludes on the 17th. You can purchase tickets here

For more information about the show, click here