Jaylon C. Crump returns to their hometown as the god Hermes in ‘Hadestown’
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Jaylon C. Crump (they/he) returns to Dallas next week, and they have a checklist of things to do while back home. After living in New York City and just being on the road for the past few years, Crump has some restaurants to revisit and some nightspots they’ve been missing. Yes, they plan to hit up the Gayborhood clubs — for the first time.
“I don’t have any specific or favorite clubs because I was underage when I lived in Dallas. I was 18 when I moved to Oklahoma City for school, so I’m excited to come back and experience The Strip as an adult — for the first time,” they said.
Crump returns to Dallas next week when the national tour of Hadestown opens at the Music Hall at Fair Park for Broadway Dallas. Crump grew up in Cedar Hill, lived in Midlothian and performed locally at their church and high school.
But for them, coming home this way is big.
“I’ve thought about this a lot,” they said. “My parents have never seen me lead a show in this capacity. My high school choir director is coming to see me be a lead in a Broadway tour.
“All these people who supported me for years will see me do the things I’ve worked so hard for, and it feels so full circle.”
Crump plays Hermes in Hadestown, which runs Feb. 25-March 2.
The show fuses the mythology of Orpheus and Eurydice and King Hades and his wife Persephone. Orpheus visits the Underworld to save his beloved, who was lured into hell as she searched for food and security. Hermes serves as both the show’s steward and as Orpheus’ elder.
Crump follows in the footsteps of some big gay icons, such as Tony winner Levi Kreis who played Hermes in the last national tour, and, most notably, André De Shields, who originated the role on Broadway.
But Crump is also bringing a new queer energy to the role.
“I get to bring a lot of myself to this character, but what’s been really amazing about this process is, for the first time in the show’s history, they changed the pronouns of Hermes for me,” they said.
“I’m nonbinary, masculine-presenting with they/he pronouns,” they explained. “When I auditioned, I told the team I was nonbinary and told the director Keenan Tyler Oliphant and the show’s writers that I didn’t want to use ‘he’ pronouns, and they were so receptive to that.”
The creative team responded that these are gods so they can be anything, and any reference to gender has been taken out for Hermes.
Crump mentioned that costumes were a bit adjusted for them although they didn’t want to giveaway too much about an actual costume reveal. And they appreciate that they can beat their face with a fabulous look.
“I’m so glad to be the first of, hopefully, many on this take,” they said. “I love that I get to be very beautiful while keeping my mustache. It’s like a genderfuck but an ode to the community telling people to be themselves. The amount of messages I’ve gotten about seeing a nonbinary person has been so nice.”
While the average audience member may not notice some of the genderless dialogue, those in the community likely will prick up their ears.
“Some things aren’t coded for everyone, and the people who do pick up on it are the ones who need to,” Crump said.
Crump has been playing Hermes since last fall but is ready to bring Hermes home — well, to their home. And while this may be Crump’s regal homecoming moment, they also see it as an act of service.
“I’m excited to bring this here. The show has its iconic queer moments, but also, it’s a story of hope and love. And with the political climate right now, it’s a story that makes people think while at the theater,” they said.
“And that’s our job as actors,” they continued. “The applause and stuff is fun, but really, I want my job to bring something for people to leave with and think about. We give pieces of ourselves to the audience to take home — and we definitely do that here in Hadestown.”
For tickets, visit BroadwayDallas.org.