Meet the HADESTOWN Tour's New Orpheus- Chibueze Ihuoma

Welcome to Backstage with Richard Ridge, the national tour of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Hades Town, which is now playing at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco through July 3rd, has found its brand new Orpheus

Please welcome Jebeze I Homa. Welcome, my friend. Did I pronounce it right

Yes, sir. Right on the money. Listen, I am so excited to be sitting with you, my friend

First of all, how are you and where are you? I'm doing really great

I'm in San Francisco. The weather is beautiful and honestly perfect. Got me thinking about future plans

Who knows? Who knows? But, and I'm doing good. Like we had, like I said, we had my first show on Tuesday

And the love that I felt from both the cast and fans and just everywhere all around

is just been so wonderful to feel. And I'm just so grateful to be doing it, you know, because it felt like even just like maybe two, three years ago, it felt like a pipe dream to be doing something like this

So to be here with you and with everything going on, it's just amazing

Well, like I said, this past Tuesday was your first official performance as the brand new Orpheus in Hadesown

So let's talk about how magical that day and that night was

Like, what do you remember about the whole night? Oh, man. What was super surprising about it is that leading up to it, it felt very, it felt odd because

things felt almost the same because I had been the Worker 3 for like a while

You know, we launched in October of 2021. So I've been with the tour since then

And I've had moments where I've been able to go on for Orpheus. And so going into the day, it felt kind of like, oh, yeah, like, you know, I'm just going to come in to do this stuff

And then it started to click a little more when I went into the dressing room

And I was like, oh, wait, this is the principal dressing room. This is not my dresser room

And then I saw people, people were leaving, like, different notes and stuff like that, which was super sweet, both from the cast and from the producer team and, and, like, flowers and this and that

And I was just like, oh, wait, something's happening. And then the things just kept clicking in more and more and more as the night went on

And then by the time we hit intermission and I sang wait for me

and then like went off stage after that, I was like, oh, wow, that's going to be every day

And then, like, usually wait for me has like a massive applause just because of all the different things that are going on from like the lights and the singing and the different choreos stuff and the swinging lamps and all this stuff

So then being backstage and hearing that like uproarious applause and being like, oh, I'm going to be able to feel that every night

Now is the moment where I fully clicked in. And I was like, okay, this is happening

Yeah. So when you took your bow that night, do you remember your bow on Tuesday

Yeah. I mean, I remember the bow. There's a part of me that still has slight understudy brain because I'm always very much looking for where my spot is

the bow because I'm like, okay, I'm on eight. I'm on eight. I'm on eight. So I went to up to it

And then when I did, we did the individual bows, then that was also a really wonderful feeling of

being like, oh, this is, this is me now. This isn't like, this isn't me filling in for someone

This is just the spot I have. And it's now this is the first step of the journey of exploring

the character, exploring the role, exploring being a part of this company in a new way

And it was truly magnificent. Well, this is so well deserved. I'm not calling it a promotion, but I think it's like, you know, it's what an incredible thing

Because give me your journey with Hades Town with the tour. How did it all begin

You were in the Workman's Chorus. Like, tell me about that in the Workers' Chorus. Yeah, I mean, when I first got involved with The Tate's Town, or I guess my specific relationship

with it goes way, way back even before audition day. Because I was a big, I was just a huge fan, you know, like I only graduated last year

from college. So like when the first 2016 off-Broadway album came out, I was a huge fan of that, like

basically one of the Hades Town stands on the internet. That was also me

And I thought to myself, especially all of Orpheus's falsetto vocal lines, I was like

this is just breath. That's taking. And this is something you don't see

I mean, so much of the show has aspects of, like, you don't see this all the time in theater

But that was another one that really stuck out to me. And then, you know, as much as

and there are still moments in the show where he, as well as other people, get to belt our faces off in the way that we all love in traditional theater

I just thought it was so exciting to have the focus of the lead man character

be so soft. And so I have this almost feeling of effervescence

And I was just like, I really want to be a part of this. So I went, found my family's old guitar

and I was just laying around in the house, started learning from there. And then I auditioned originally in 2019

because that's when they wanted, no, done 2019, in 2020, because that's when they wanted the tour to launch

And so I got through, like, lots of the different phases. I got to audition for Rachel and Néis

the room, which was, that was a mind-boggling moment because I was also a big fan of Rachel's past

work, a great comment. So it was very much a Starstruck moment for a second. I was just like

okay. And then, but then, like, we did those first rounds. And then, um, essentially what I

first heard back was, we love Chimese. He's a really great guy, like, from my Asians

They were like, they love him. The thing is, he is very green

And in a very way that's in a way that was completely understandable to me, I honestly was just happy to be in that room at that point

So then like, I was like, oh yeah, I have like not done anything like professional professional before this

But they were like, we really like this kid. So we would love to think of him for a worker and then understudy Orpheus

So then the pandemic happens. Everything's putting high it is. But then it come to 2021, I send in a bunch of tapes

We do another final callback this time on Zoom, which was a truly, truly interesting experience of just having all of the different, like, creative team in different squares in different parts of the country, just like zooming in

And I was just like, huh, this is, this is odd, but also was kind of comforting because it was my own space that I was in

So I felt in some ways I was able to lead in and kind of like relax more and just give myself to the moment of the audition and to the piece that we were singing as opposed to like feel like, oh, I'm prepped up and this is my time to, you know

And then I got to join the tour shortly after that. And it's been such a wonderful time with the show because

I've been able to both, one, I mean, I never thought of myself as a dancer first

So it was a really exciting moment to like just really focus on that and then like really build that aspect of my body and of my artistry

And the workers chorus as a family is one of the one of the best families you can have because there will be so many like times of like genuine connection that we get to make with each other and like every worker is encouraged to feel individual while in the group It isn until say we go into the underground where any individuality just kind of comes

from how they do the step, as opposed to you intentionally trying to do something

But in the above ground, people are doing crazy stuff like Lindsay Hales is like almost like this

like smooth wraith that, like, who could move her body in any way that she wants to

whereas Jamari is like this powerhouse and then like he'll jump between like these super

super strong movements, but then also like add like a little bit of flare in there or something

like that. So we were all the way able to explore so much as workers. And I felt like that

additional sense of freedom and of comfort really helped when I would, whenever I would go on

for Nick as an understudy. And then I was able to build Orpheus from there so that by the

on Tuesday came along. It didn't feel so much like, oh my God, like this is like a completely new thing

and something. It was like, okay, I know what this is. I know what it's like to interact with these different people, like to interact with

Morgan as Eritacy, to interact with Kimberly's, Persephone, Kevin S.A. All that

So then by the time, like, we started the show, everything just kind of fell into place

And it was really wonderful. Do you remember the first night you went on for Orfeet

as an understudy. Ooh. Because everybody I talked to about this like they said

Richard, it's a blur. I was pushed out there and I took my bow. That's all I remember

So what was it to do? Oh, man. No, Rich. Honestly, I remember it very vividly

But also because it was a wild day. So I was, we were just had started off

in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center. And this is, I think this was

the middle of our third. week. Yeah, I want to say the middle of our third week, but last week at the Kennedy Center

And we're working on under study rehearsals because we're giving it toward the first put-in

so we kept that first layer of coverage for everybody. And I'm just chilling in my hotel room

not like, you know, not giving a care, just like lounging before the rehearsal starts. And then I get a call from the stage manager. And like at this point, mind you, I've only learned

the first half of the show. So act two, granted act two isn't the craziest thing blocking wise, and I knew all my music

but I still hadn't been formally taught at two. So I was like, okay, so I'll get a call

from stage manager. I'm like, what's going on? And then she says, hey, so Nick is out

you're going to be on, you have rehearsal in two hours. And this was maybe like 10 a.m

And so I was like, okay, nice, cool, we're going to do it. And there was a set

a little bit of like, or honestly, I was going to say there was a sense of nervousness

I wouldn't feel too nervous about it, actually. It felt very, I mean, it was very sudden, and it was very exciting, and it was very like

whoa, what's going on? But, like, I think there was a big part of me inside that I was like, oh, hell yeah

Like, let's do it. Like, it was like, and so when we did the rehearsals, I was working with the dance captain

and the stage manager just fill in the spots, and there's like, a whole fight scene that I essentially just kind of had to learn with the two of them

as opposed to the full, like, worker ensemble and Orpheus being in it

But then, like, we did all that stuff, did the show. I think, no, that was not, that was going to say, honestly, like, blogging wise

most things went well. There was one understudy one right, what did, where Orpheus reveals of the flower

during wedding song and instead of it just staying in my hand

it kind of like catapulted and then was flying and we were all like, oh no, please don't fall into the audience

please don't fall into the audience. And then did land on the stage and Morgan being the class actor that she is

really like almost played it as if it had grown from the ground instead

And then like honestly the moment was just as good if not, well, they're both

wonderful in their own ways. I will stick to the original blocking from now on

But that show was really wonderful because, again, it was a moment where I felt the full support of everyone

And everyone was holding each other and holding me with such care

And that, I think that's another thing. I made it a really, really wonderful night

as opposed to one that could be very stressful. Yeah. But that's a great thing about theater

and that's the great thing about your creative team on Hades Town. That is something like that happens

You turn it into a moment. It's what you did with the flower. And looking, oh, you know, the audience that was there probably saw this special performance

of her going down and picking up this flower. Yeah, yeah. And they're the ones that will get it forever

You know, they've got this limited edition. This is such a special show, Hades Town

Like I said, you were a fan of this first, as we all were. I mean, when this was first announced, I was like

We had never seen anything like Hades Town on stage. Absolutely brilliant

So what is it like living in the world of Hades Town, this incredible musical, and seeing

yourself represented, which I think is really important to young kids that had come into a

theater for the first time and saying, oh my gosh, he looks like me

I can do this. What that means to you? No, that means, it truly means the world

I mean, there were, even. like when I was going on as

the understudy, there were, I would get like different messages from people saying like, this means

so much to see a black performer portray this role, especially with so many of the themes that are

in the show, themes of community, themes of rising above like, say like a

tyrannical or like leader in like the form of Hades and stuff like that and like gathering like

using like our ourselves as a collective to stand up for what's right and to fight for what we

believe in. But then also at the same time, there's, there was something very radical about

having a black character in that, in that, um, uh, trying to accomplish those things, but also

them having innocence and having this softness and this sensitivity of, lots of times it's expected that if a black character, like in some type of show, does rise up

it usually is portrayed, and maybe it's also because oftentimes in reality, this is how it turns out

whereas is it portrayed with like a more forceful, more strong-willed forwardness

And I think Orpheus is a very determined person. He is strong-wilt in that sense

but to have moments where they can highlight the aspects of his sensitivity and of his artistry

first and foremost, and how that and just his simple belief in optimism and how the world could be

how those two things when he sings Epic 3 in a second act, it's that soft voice that turns Hades

and makes him realize his era of his ways. And that's a very, it's just not typical. And so I felt

I felt very honored to be in a position where I got to play a character that was allowed that, you know

What did you want to bring to him your specificness that you wanted to bring to your Orpheus, to make him yours

Well, there are a few things that I want to bring into it

One from a musical standpoint I mean I loved all the different albums that that exists the concept and off and the Broadway everyone they all different

They're all super exciting. And I love particularly the feeling, the sense of like blues and soul that has an undercurrent

I mean, Levi, Levi Christ, who plays our Hermes, he really brings the soul when like, whenever

we're doing the show. and it's such a departure from other iterations of his character

So I honestly, like, seeing him bring his full self to it made me feel like

okay, I'm going to bring all that I got too. So then there are certain songs that I love, like a wedding song where I get to be super bluesy

super fulky, like doing like these different like cries here and there

But then also, from a musical standpoint, I love Bonnie Verre. I love DiAngelo, the singer

So all those different aspects of that falsetto, of that super lightness, I had so much fun playing around and like trying different vocal lines and doing this and that

Like that was one thing that I wanted to lead first and foremost with

And then on top of that from a character standpoint, I think my Orpheus is, I think he's very, like a better word, excited about the world

that could be. Like, I think he envisions that world and it fills him

with all this life. And it fills him with like this like almost like rush of energy

and this like kinetic feeling that I think I'm able to bring out in a lot of different moments

of the show. And I think in some ways, part of his journey actually

is learning how to channel that bubbling optimism. feeling into more direct, into more precise action and like into a way that is still true to him

and still comes from his heart, but also can be received by others. Like I think when it comes

to like his love relationship with Eurydice, he sees her and like he sees everything that he

is ever wanted in a person in her immediately. And there's this one line early in the show

that Hermes says where Orphery's mother is amuse and sometimes Muses abandon you. So I thought

about, I heard that. And I was like, oh, so this is, this is a motherless child. Like he grew up

not having that kind of intense love in his life, more of just like a mentor, guardianship

from Hermes and just like a general love from the community, I guess. But then

And seeing Eurydice, he's like, there's my chance. This is the person

This is the one. And he goes full force. And like, it's obviously a lot

And she's like, who is this guy? But then I think as things go on, and especially by the time he gets to all I've ever known

the love that he, there are moments where he tries to lean in with that, like, full force

And then Eurytsey, like, retracts because it's too much for her. And then he learns, okay, this is how, this is your love language

This is how I need to love you. And I think my office really goes through a transformative journey of how to best channel his energy out so that more people can receive it

And I think that also gets reflected in the epics because the first, I think the, the first epic that makes Hades really, like, hear him is the one where he starts to bring up himself, Orpheus, and, like, really puts himself into the song as opposed to just talking about the things he's envisioned

He puts his actual heart into it as well. And I think it's the mix of those two

that makes Hades and like everyone and the workers rise up with him

make them respond to him. So I think that's the, at least as of right now, that's the first thing

And we'll see as the months go on what new things I can discover. See, I love this because this is

this is your first national tour too. And you have these big sit downs, it's incredible cities with this show

I mean, when you got, when you knew you were going on the road, did someone tell you these are the things you should pack

or is there something you had to have with you on the road like in your suitcase

Like I have to live with this, every dressing and every hotel room. Let me see

Okay, so I didn't get too much knowledge from other people because it was very early on

Most of my friends also when they get their chances to be in national tours will be their first ones as well

So then from that step, but we're all, I was kind of like, well, I've been

been to college and I've been to like different like kind of like stay away programs and stuff

like that. So I packed with that in mind, though there were two things that are main consists

for me. One, I am a big lover of essential oils and just of like oil fuse and like just

of sense and all that type of stuff. So I have like different things for my room here in San Francisco

but also in the dressing room, I like to just like usually like either a lavender or a tea tree type

situation that's just, I feel like it's very common for me. So that's one big one. And then the other

one is that for all of my life, as early as I can remember, I've been a huge, huge gamer. So I like brought

my little handheld gaming system just to make it easier for traveling, stuff like that. And

And there was a running joke that I had with the cast during while I was a worker

because there's one moment where the worker has to go take Orphe's guitar and bring it

backstage so that they can tune it up while everyone else is still on stage and like the

play is still going back on. And then during way down in Eadistown, he just appears with the guitar, freshly minted and

tuned and all that jazz. But I would have to wait until the song was over to come back on

And so I would always just like be backstage, just chilling for like maybe even literally

just for like the two minutes just like and I think it's it's really nice because it's something

that both stimulates my mind in the playing but also kind of allows it to turn off like if

things are going a little too fast in everything like in just the grand scheme of everything it's

like all right focus on this one thing and then like all of a sudden like by the time I put it back

down to go back on stage or to like do whatever other thing I need to do I was like oh okay

Like, all of like the noises and like different voices and stuff like that, they've all calmed down and now I could go forth, you know

Love that. Now, listen, growing up, didn't your family want all of your siblings to become doctors

Yes, very much so. Or businessmen or lawyers, you know, something that I think a lot of the times, especially with immigrant families, when they first come to America, they have an idea of

what American success is. And then on top of that, they think of things that like

okay, what is something that is like super high achieving, but technically everyone can do

Because there's a certain, you know, there's just a certain thing when it comes to something like

a job in the arts where like you might have like a profound love for it

but like you just know for yourself. It's like, oh, this, but like doing all this thing and stuff

or like this guitar plays. all that type of stuff, it's not for me. So they were like, oh, but he can be smart

And he can go to school and he can do all this type of stuff. So then that was kind of what they originally wanted for me

I remember even once telling an uncle of mine that, like, you know, as a kid, people were like

oh, I want to be an astronaut or something like that. I remember telling an uncle that, and he was like, no

Like, it's either a doctor or this. And I was like, well, you know, they're scientists too, kind of

But when it came for me in music it started off as more of I guess an extracurricular like outside It was class thing

But I didn't, like, I think it was really subconscious because I just kept coming back to it every single year

And like the prerequisite for my family was that, okay, well, if you're doing this, you got to get really good grades

So I made sure to kept the grades up. And that was honestly, to do the arts was that was a big motivator

And then by the time I got to high school, I did this one program that they have at the New Jersey Arts Performing Center

And they, it's just like, it's kind of, I'm not sure what I would liken it to, but like it was just like a standard like intensive and acting intensive

And that was the first time I had been surrounded by arts and by arts professionals and by people as passionate

about music and theater and acting as much as I was for an entire day

Usually it's just like, you know, two hours after school. And then that moment happened, I was like, oh, this is it

Like, this is what I want to do. And so when I told my parents that, they were like, oh, kind of panicking

But then my answer to that for them was, okay, I will do everything in my power right now

to show you that this is possible. So I applied for every single program imaginable

And like every summer I was doing some type of, like some type of audition-based program

And then eventually I did the NYU version of like the summer one

And then that was like a big one for them because they were like, oh, okay. So like people actually go to school for this and like do that

And then so when I went to NYU, I was just doing trying to do show after show

anything I could get my hands on and to bring them to so that they could feel firsthand like

oh, like, this is, this is really something. And I think it was in a way that was kind of counterintuitive

in, well, not kind of intuitive, but that you wouldn't expect normally because they definitely

gave me support. I mean, they allowed me to go to school for theater and like they like helped

you know, like paid for it. So in that sense, like I, there was still, like

level of support there. But I guess by having that in me, having that worry of like, oh

like, I need them to know that this is like real and I'm super serious about this. I think is one

the things that really motivated me to go after every opportunity, you know, because. And then like

I think once that came in and that was instilled in me, all of a sudden, like, things just like really

start to open up. So in a weird way, they kind of helped my artistic career by not being big

fans of it originally. Because I think something like a Hades Town, I don't know if I would

have been, I would have had that kind of drive. So, because before, you know, before I decided I wanted

to audition for it, I didn't know anything about guitar. So then to fully learn the instrument and then

show up in the audition room and like, like, have that level of preparedness is something that is

taught overnight. You can't just simply learn overnight. Something that has to be cultivated

And you have to make the mistakes in it earlier beforehand so that Dick, you've learned from them

And so by the time that audition comes around, you're ready, you know

Well, see, I like that, you know, you kept your grades up in schools. You can tell your parents now

I can play a doctor and I can play a lawyer. And very well in school, right? I can play them now, right

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. And honestly, I think of art. itself as something that truly heals people

You know, I think like the cathartic moments, whether it's something that's like mostly like a comedy and like you just get to go

and like laugh, you're like face off from the whole night or it's something that's just like more concert

like power vocal driven and you just like I just need like that visceral feeling in me

Or it's like a simpler story driven, character driven type play. and you get to really connect with the characters

And like you said earlier, see yourself represent it, whether it's by outward appearance

or whether it's from just something that you spiritually connect with in terms of the struggle that character's going through

and seeing them possibly overcome it or seeing them navigate it is something that can be extremely

extremely therapeutic. So in a sense, I did become the doctor they wanted

just a different kind than they expect. I love that. Well, you know, we're just about out of time

but you've been able to meet the fans in some of these cities so far after the show

or I know it's still, you know, with COVID safety and everything, but this show and your performance

I'm sure is touching so many people. Have you been able to connect with the fans a little bit

Yeah, I mean, it's been interesting because like you said, with COVID

we can't do too many general like stage dory type of interactions

But, and this is where a moment of, wow, technology is really brought as far as, like, kicks in where lots of fans now reach out on social media

And they'll either post in their stories, like, something like, hey, we saw Haytstown, we loved this so much

Or, like, they'll shout out specific people or they'll send you, like, a direct message

And then they'll, like, be so. And, like, I think that level, like, actually being away from

the other person lets them like really articulate how they feel about the moment

And then also like the Hades town fandom specifically, they are, they really, really

know how to show the love and especially through lots of different artists that make different

fan arts of like of our interpretations of these characters and represent them in this beautiful way

And it truly is the most wonderful thing. to like, you know, like, go to your phone

Like, you know, you leave and you say hi to everyone, like, from, like, the social distance

And then, like, you go home and you see your fault. And then, like, you see someone has made this, like, gorgeous art

Like, just absolutely studying artwork. And they get, and they express like, yeah, like, this person really touched me in their performance

And I'm just so glad I got to see them. And then we get to have that type of direct interaction with them

And then it's also kind of cool because you also, like, you try to show

share the love with them back by where they like share, make the artwork and you're like

hey, everyone, go look at this person because they're doing amazing things and also like

they touched me. You know, in the same way I got to touch them with their art

They touched me. And so that kind of relationship has been one I have really appreciated and really come to cherish

I love that. Because I was going to ask you, what is one of the best parts of being a part of Hades Town

I'm sure that's a big one because this is a show that has touched. so many people, and you will continue to do that as you travel on your national tour across the

country with his amazing show and your amazing performance. Thank you so much. It's going to be

a wild journey, but I'm so excited for it, and it's already kicked off to a great start

Well, once again, you are the newest Orpheus in the national tour at Hades Town. To find out

where to see him in Hades Town, go to Hades Town.com to find a lot.com to find a

the city near you. I've had a blast with you today. This has been so much fun

Yeah, this has been a pleasure. It was wild because I watched the show

So I'm like, wow, I'm about to tune in or like going blah, uh, Broadway World next time and be like

that's me. There it is. Crazy stuff. Have the best time. Thank you for doing what you do, my friend

And everybody go to the theater and see him on tour in Hadesigm. Take care, everyone