The auditorium lights dim, the stage comes alive, and for the first time in school history, it’s happening in the fall.

Dallastown is breaking tradition with its debut fall musical, on Sept. 25, 27, and 28, and they’re not easing into it–they’re diving headfirst into Hadestown, a Tony Award-winning retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, fated lovers who are stuck in a never-ending loop.

Mrs. Amy Anderson, a retired Dallastown English teacher and longtime musical director, has been dreaming about this moment for years.

“We’ve talked about having a fall musical for a long time,” she said. “There are a lot of shows that are small cast, very intense and difficult, and we sorta felt like, why not? Why not have a spring and fall season?”

That “why not?” turned into something historic. Normally, Dallastown’s spring musicals boast casts of 60-plus, filling the stage and every inch of backstage space. Hadestown, however, is a different kind of show–smaller, tighter, more intimate.

“We love the songs and the music; it’s contemporary,” Anderson explained. “But there’s just nowhere to put that many kids in Hadestown. It made sense for the fall.”

For students, the timing has opened up new doors.

“For many years, kids have said they wish the musicals were in the fall,” Anderson said. “They were in spring sports and couldn’t do it. We thought it’d be nice to have something for those kids.”

Senior Chelsea Cottrell, who steps into the role of Eurydice, agrees.

“I’m excited we have more opportunities and chances to showcase our kids because we have so much talent and variety at our school,” she said.

For Cottrell, this role is unlike anything she’s done before.

“Eurydice is way different from a lot of the roles I’ve played. She has a lot of fun aspects and emotions that I never had to portray before.”

While she’s used to playing the sharp-edged “mean” characters, Cottrell has approached Eurydice with a fresh mindset. She studies Broadway recordings, pulls inspiration from professional actors, and then shapes the character into her own.

“I try to interpret it in my own way to make it different,” she said.

Balancing cheerleading, schoolwork, and now a lead role might sound impossible, but Cottrell shrugs it off.

“I just have my schedule set, and I communicate well… It’s easy to balance because I like doing it all,” she said with a smile.

Across the stage, another senior is also stepping into a role that feels bigger than life. Andruw Gurrea, cast as Orpheus, is only in his second year at Dallastown–and already leading a show.

“Being a lead brings a lot of responsibility; it can sometimes be stressful or even overwhelming,” he admitted. “As a perfectionist, I enjoy every second of it. I am from Puerto Rico, English is my second language, so that makes it kind of challenging too, but I feel very grateful and blessed.”

Music has always been a part of Gurrea’s life, but theater only entered the picture last year when vocal and choir director Mrs. McCleary encouraged him to audition for Into the Woods.

“At first, I was very nervous,” he said. “But it’s so awesome to participate in something I enjoy the most. Into the Woods was a great musical and an awesome experience, so I didn’t hesitate to audition now for Hadestown.”

The story of Hadestown–of love, hope, and resilience against impossible odds–strikes a chord with both leads.

“It’s a really impactful message,” Gurrea said. “It’s about the importance of trying to build a better world, even when the odds aren’t always in your favor.”

Anderson hopes that the message resonates with the audience and that this new fall tradition endures at Dallastown.

“I hope it can continue, hope the interest is still there, and that people will fill the seats to see our show,” she said. “I always want kids to still want to do them, and that the fall musical will provide them with new opportunities.”

With a smaller cast, tighter schedule, and a fresh sense of energy, this fall’s production already feels different. Or, as Anderson puts it:

“It’s like the kids aren’t burnt out yet on school. They are fresh, just had summer, and are feeling more upbeat. When you can direct such a small group, the camaraderie and connections are just stronger.”

For Cottrell and Gurrea, that connection is clear every time the curtain rises in rehearsal. And for the audience, it’ll be clear on opening night: Dallastown’s new season of theater is just beginning.

The show will take place in the Dallastown Middle School Auditorium and tickets can be purchased using this link.