Entertainment

Hadestown Ruled the Broadway in 2019

Published

5 years ago

January 5, 2020

Hadestown is the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, told in this day and age. It dominated the Broadway 8 times a week. There is a reason why it became so loved and watched by the audience. Anaïs Mitchell, the composer of this production has taken her tale of Hadestown — an idea that came to her from DIY upstart to concept album to full-fledged theatrical production. It stands out because of its contemporary touch, and it deals with problems which are relatable to the audience.

The production deals with present-day concerns like anti-immigration rhetoric and the #MeToo movement with songs like “Why We Build the Wall” and “Hey, Little Songbird.” There are also themes of wealth disparity and climate change in the Broadway production. Mitchell mentioned that all these occurrences were not deliberate. And one of the interesting facts is that the show evolved over the part 13 years, and it is what it is through the growth.

The great thing about Hadestown is how it inculcated the music into itself. Mitchell mentioned how at the earlier stage of production there were times that the show had gaps in the between. After each scene the production felt haphazard and was all over the place. But with relevant songs, now it feels like there is a linear progress.

Unlike other directors, Mitchell works on guitar when she feels inspired, rather than working on piano. Her music is mostly influenced by folk songs and traditional music, particularly from the British Isles. That’s why her music has a folksy feel even when it is based on an ancient myth.

She talks about Orpheus and how he is a character that is parallel to today’s youth. He starts up by striving for a world he believes could exist. But by the end of the journey he has lost his innocence. And he is saved when he realizes everyone has the same journey. That’s why audience love the show, and that is why Hadestown tickets become sold so easily, because they feel connected to the character somehow.

Entertainment

Going Public: The Groundbreaking Series Transforming How Americans Invest

Published

1 week ago

May 16, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

In a media landscape saturated with reality TV and startup showcases, Going Public stands apart, not just as a show but as a movement. Now in its third season, the interactive series invites viewers to do more than just watch entrepreneurs chase success. It gives them the tools and the opportunity to invest in startups in real time, democratizing access to early-stage funding and reshaping how ordinary Americans engage with entrepreneurship and wealth-building.

Launched by Todd M. Goldberg, a former MedTech executive who hit a frustrating wall while preparing his company for a Nasdaq IPO, Going Public was born from a moment of personal disillusionment.

“When I brought a list of interested friends and colleagues to the Chairman of the Board,” Goldberg recalls, “he explained that all the IPO shares were reserved for institutional investors. That was my epiphany. I just knew that was wrong. Regular people should have a chance to invest in IPOs, but it needed to go even further.”

That insight became the foundation for Going Public, a hybrid of entrepreneurial storytelling and financial access that offers retail investors a seat at the table usually reserved for venture capitalists and insiders. The show brings audiences inside the capital-raising journey of startups, often before they go public, and leverages a powerful innovation: its “Click-to-Invest” feature.

“The bottom line with Click-to-Invest is that it’s seamless,” says Goldberg. “Viewers can go from watching the show to literally clicking a button. It feels more like a Shopify or Amazon checkout than a traditional investment process.”

This accessibility is central to the show’s mission: to educate, inspire, and empower everyday people to participate in early-stage investing. Unlike financial news channels that target seasoned traders, Going Public merges entertainment with financial literacy, using real startup stories to highlight the risks, rewards, and realities of entrepreneurship. It’s financial content with emotional stakes, real people, and tangible outcomes.

Season 3 reflects how far the show has come and where it’s going. With more celebrity involvement, including gaming icon Ninja backing the cashew milk startup Nutcase, and a strategic partnership with the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Going Public has widened its reach while deepening its cultural relevance.

“How do you make this mainstream?” Goldberg says. “The concept was The Apprentice meets Shark Tank meets IPO, but with a twist. Viewers aren’t just spectators, they’re stakeholders.”

The show’s selection of featured companies is another defining element. Startups are chosen not just for their growth potential but also for their mission, relatability, and cultural resonance. In Season 3, that includes everything from disruptive wellness brands to tech-enabled platforms, each paired with guidance from top-tier venture capitalists and Silicon Valley mentors.

This season also introduces a livestream finale, a format innovation designed to create a real-time, high-stakes environment where viewers can watch, decide, and invest together. It adds urgency and community to the investing experience, aligning with the show’s values of transparency and participation.

One of the most surprising and meaningful outcomes has been the personal stories from viewers who never imagined themselves as investors. “We’ve heard from teachers, nurses, and even students who said this was their first time investing and they felt confident doing it because the show made it accessible,” Goldberg shares. “It’s not just about money, it’s about empowerment.”

Looking ahead, Goldberg and his team have ambitious plans. They aim to expand the format to new platforms, explore international adaptations, and build out educational tools so viewers not only invest but understand what they’re investing in. The goal isn’t just more participation. It’s smarter participation.

In a world where capital often feels distant, technical, and exclusionary, Going Public brings the financial journey down to earth and into the hands of the people. It’s not just a show. It’s a redefinition of how business stories are told and how wealth can be created and shared.