Maya Hawke Shines in a Poignant Revival of 'Eurydice' at Signature Theater

On a windswept beach, a young couple shares an innocent and tender moment, their limbs intertwined as they grow closer. When he ties a string around her left ring finger as a symbol of his affection, she responds with joyful delight and consents to marry him.

She is Eurydice, and he is Orpheus, a legendary musician unmatched in his talent. The ancient myth of their love foretells a brief union—her sudden death, his profound sorrow, and a doomed attempt to reclaim her from the underworld.

Sarah Ruhl’s "Eurydice" centers less on their romantic bond and more on Eurydice’s deep grief for her deceased father, whose absence looms large on the day of her wedding. This lyrical, bittersweet play delicately portrays mourning and memory, highlighting the enduring love between a parent and child.

Directed by Les Waters, this exquisitely crafted revival opened recently at the Signature Theater. It features Maya Hawke as Eurydice, portraying a thoughtful and composed character with a tender romantic side, alongside Brian d’Arcy James as her gentle and warmly humorous father. Caleb Eberhardt embodies Orpheus with quiet determination, channeling his heartbreak through music and letters to his lost wife.

In one poignant moment, Orpheus writes, “I’ll give this letter to a worm. I hope he finds you,” underscoring the profound sense of loss permeating the story.

This revival echoes Waters’s acclaimed 2006 production, marking a return to a play that he knows intimately. The staging is even more refined, shaped by a director deeply attuned to the play’s subtle emotional currents.

Integral to this production’s atmosphere are two creative team members from the earlier staging: Scott Bradley, whose elegant set design features watery blues and greens, blending painted tiles with a grid of handwritten letters; and Bray Poor, whose delicate sound design evokes the ever-present motif of water that flows through this fluid and evocative drama.