Hadestown Broadway, Story & Cast Information
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Hadestown
A Folk-Opera Musical Journey to the Underworld
Tony Award Triumph
At the 73rd Tony Awards, Hadestown received 14 nominations (the most that year) and won eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The Broadway production received critical acclaim and has run for more than 2,000 performances as of 2025, making it the longest-running show at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Development History
Vermont Origins (2006-2007)
An early version of Hadestown was performed in the cities of Barre and Vergennes, Vermont in 2006, before going on a seven-day, ten-city tour in Mitchell’s home state of Vermont and Massachusetts in 2007. The creative team included director/designer Ben T. Matchstick and orchestrator/arranger Michael Chorney, with a cast drawn from artists in Vermont, including Mitchell as Eurydice and Matchstick as Hermes.
The Concept Album (2010)
Unsure of the future of the stage version, Mitchell released a concept album in 2010. Mitchell’s 2007 album The Brightness contains the song “Hades & Persephone”, which was renamed “How Long?” for the musical. The concept album was released on March 9, 2010, through Righteous Babe Records.
Meeting Rachel Chavkin
After watching a production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 directed by Rachel Chavkin in 2012, Mitchell and Chavkin discussed gaps in the concept album’s storyline and began to expand the stage version of the musical. Mitchell wrote an additional 15 songs and added dialogue to clarify the plot and deepen characterization.
Workshop Development (2012-2015)
In November 2012, a reading at Barnard College was directed by Matchstick and starred Damon Daunno as Orpheus, Allison Case as Eurydice, André De Shields as Hermes, Harriett D Foy as Persephone, and Paul Kandel as Hades. The Fates included Krystal Joy Brown, with a men’s chorus that included Javier Muñoz.
On August 16, 2014, as part of New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW), the work-in-progress was staged at the Hopkins Center for the Arts’ Bentley Theater, following a two-week developmental workshop. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, the cast included Daunno as Orpheus, Amber Gray as Persephone, and Shaina Taub as a Fate.
Plot Synopsis
Road to Hell
The Greek god Hermes welcomes the audience to the show, introducing the story, characters, ensemble, and band. This is followed by Eurydice and the Fates describing the harsh weather and famine of the setting. Orpheus, Hermes’ ward, introduces himself to Eurydice and asks her to marry him. Eurydice is doubtful as they both live in poverty. Orpheus tells her that he is writing a song to make spring come again, and they will no longer have to struggle.
Act I: Above and Below
Orpheus tells the story of Hades and Persephone. Persephone arrives in the world above and celebrates summertime, while Eurydice begins to truly fall in love with Orpheus. Hades comes early to collect Persephone, and she voices her misery of having to return to Hadestown, Hades’ underground factory. Despite hearing about the never-ending labor endured by the factory workers, Eurydice is intrigued by the rich praises sung by the Fates as well as the promise of protection that Hadestown offers.
A Gathering Storm
The cold weather returns and Eurydice searches for food and firewood, urging Orpheus to finish his song. Orpheus continues working on his song, as Eurydice becomes more desperate as times grow harder. After Persephone and Hades argue, Hades leaves Hadestown to find someone who will appreciate its safety and security. He comes across a desperate Eurydice and invites her to come to Hadestown, and the Fates urge Eurydice to join him.
With the cold surging and an empty stomach, Eurydice sees no other choice except following Hades. She bids goodbye to Orpheus before heading to Hadestown as the Fates chastise the audience for judging her for choosing self-interest over love. Orpheus discovers Eurydice’s disappearance, and decides to rescue her from Hadestown. He sets off on his journey using Hermes’ instructions on how to get to Hadestown without the use of the train. Eurydice arrives in Hadestown and signs the contract, officially becoming a worker as Hades revels in his power and dominion over the denizens of his city.
Act II: The Underworld
Our Lady of the Underground
In an entr’acte, Persephone sings to the patrons of a speakeasy that she runs behind Hades’s back. Eurydice begins to realize the consequences of her choice to go to Hadestown: she will soon become a forgotten laborer and can never leave unless Hades consents to let her go. She forgets her memories of the world above.
Orpheus arrives in Hadestown and promises Eurydice that he will take her home with him. Hades appears and reveals to him that Eurydice willingly signed the contract, which Eurydice regretfully confirms. Hades orders the workers to attack Orpheus and the Fates tell him to give up hope. Orpheus vows to find a way to free Eurydice, rallying the workers and catching Persephone’s attention in the process.
Epic III: The Song
Persephone is inspired by Orpheus’s determination and pleads with Hades to let Eurydice go. While the workers begin to truly question the freedom they were promised, Hades bitterly offers Orpheus a chance to sing his completed song, threatening to kill him afterwards. Orpheus sings his song, reminding Hades of his love for Persephone. Hades and Persephone reconcile with a dance, after which Orpheus and Eurydice promise to stay together no matter how hard.
The Final Test
Orpheus asks Hades if they may leave, and Hades tells him that he has not reached a decision. The Fates taunt Hades for his dilemma: If he kills Orpheus and keeps Eurydice captive, they become martyrs, but if he lets them go, he loses control over his workers as they have begun to agitate for their freedom. Hades decides to let Orpheus and Eurydice go on one condition: Orpheus must lead them out. If he turns around to confirm that Eurydice is following him, she will return to Hadestown and remain there forever.
Doubt Comes In
Hermes explains the condition to Orpheus and Eurydice, and they begin heading out with the workers looking to them for hope. Persephone and Hades decide to give their relationship another chance. Just as Orpheus makes it up to the end, he is overcome by doubt and turns around, condemning Eurydice to return to Hadestown. Hermes reflects on the somber tale and why it must be told, as the story resets to the beginning and the company begins to tell it again. After the bows at curtain call, the cast honors Orpheus for his optimism and bravery.
Musical Numbers
Act I
- Road to Hell – Hermes and Company
- Any Way the Wind Blows – The Fates and Eurydice
- Come Home With Me – Orpheus
- Wedding Song – Eurydice and Orpheus
- Epic I – Orpheus
- Livin’ it Up on Top – Persephone and Company
- All I’ve Ever Known – Eurydice and Orpheus
- Way Down Hadestown – Hermes, Persephone, and The Fates
- A Gathering Storm – Eurydice, Persephone, and The Fates
- Epic II – Orpheus and Company
- Chant – Hades, Persephone, and Company
- Hey, Little Songbird – Hades and Eurydice
- When the Chips Are Down – The Fates
- Gone, I’m Gone – Eurydice and The Fates
- Wait for Me – Hermes, Orpheus, and Company
- Why We Build the Wall – Hades and Company
Act II
- Our Lady of the Underground – Persephone
- Way Down Hadestown (Reprise) – Hermes and Eurydice
- Flowers – Eurydice
- Come Home with Me (Reprise) – Orpheus
- Papers – Hades and Company
- Nothing Changes – The Fates
- If It’s True – Orpheus and Company
- How Long? – Persephone
- Chant (Reprise) – Company
- Epic III – Orpheus, Company
- Promises – Orpheus and Eurydice
- Word to the Wise – The Fates
- His Kiss, the Riot – Hermes and The Fates
- Wait for Me (Reprise) – Hermes, Company
- Doubt Comes In – The Fates
- Road to Hell (Reprise) – Hermes and Company
- We Raise Our Cups – Company (Curtain Call)
Off-Broadway Production (2016)
Hadestown premiered at New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW), running from May 3, 2016, through July 31. The production starred Damon Daunno as Orpheus, Nabiyah Be as Eurydice, Amber Gray as Persephone, Patrick Page as Hades, Chris Sullivan as Hermes, and Lulu Fall, Jessie Shelton, and Shaina Taub as the Fates.
Critical Reception
The New York Times described the Off-Broadway production as “inventive” and “gorgeously sung”, praising its simplicity and intimacy. The Hollywood Reporter described the added dialogue as “wince-inducing” but favored its high energy and immersive staging. Several reviews drew parallels between “Why We Build the Wall” and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, though the song predates the campaign by about a decade.
On October 14, 2016, an EP was released featuring four songs from the musical, recorded live on June 28 and 29, 2016. A full live album was released on October 6, 2017.
Pre-Broadway Tryouts
Edmonton, Canada (2017)
Hadestown was presented as a pre-Broadway tryout as part of the 2017/2018 season at Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Chavkin again directed, with performances from November 11 to December 3, 2017, with Gray and Page reprising their roles from NYTW. The production also starred Reeve Carney as Orpheus, T.V. Carpio as Eurydice, and Kingsley Leggs as Hermes.
London National Theatre (2018-2019)
Hadestown was performed in the Olivier Theatre of the National Theatre in London, running from November 2018 to January 2019. Page, Gray, and Carney reprised their previous roles, joined by Eva Noblezada, André De Shields, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Rosie Fletcher, and Gloria Onitiri.
Broadway Production (2019-Present)
Original Broadway Cast
- Orpheus: Reeve Carney
- Eurydice: Eva Noblezada
- Hades: Patrick Page
- Persephone: Amber Gray
- Hermes: André De Shields
- The Fates: Jewelle Blackman, Yvette González-Nacer, Kay Trinidad
Page, Gray, De Shields, Carney, and Noblezada reprised their roles from London, joined by Jewelle Blackman, González-Nacer and Kay Trinidad. The Broadway production was produced by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold and Tom Kirdahy. On March 12, 2020, performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The musical resumed performances on September 2, 2021.
Broadway Success
Hadestown is the longest-running show at the Walter Kerr Theatre and, as of 2025, the production has run for more than 2,000 performances. The production opened to critical acclaim, with The New York Times calling it “gorgeous” and “hypnotic”, especially noting its improvement from the New York Theatre Workshop version. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter calls it “utterly fabulous”, in particular praising the performances of Gray and Page.
Notable Broadway Replacements
- Orpheus: Jordan Fisher, Carlos Valdes, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Jack Wolfe
- Eurydice: Solea Pfeiffer, Lola Tung, Isa Briones, Maia Reficco, Hailey Kilgore, Myra Molloy, Morgan Dudley
- Hades: Tom Hewitt, Phillip Boykin, Paulo Szot
- Persephone: Lana Gordon, Betty Who, Ani DiFranco, Yola, Allison Russell, Merle Dandridge, Rebecca Naomi Jones
- Hermes: Lillias White, Jon Jon Briones, Stephanie Mills, Daniel Breaker, Kurt Elling
National Tours
First North American Tour (2021-2024)
A national tour was planned for 2020 but was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It launched at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where it ran for three weeks starting October 15, 2021. Prior to the launch, the production had a tryout at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina, from October 5 to 10, 2021.
First Tour Cast
The tour starred Nicholas Barasch as Orpheus, Morgan Siobhan Green as Eurydice, Kevyn Morrow as Hades, Kimberly Marable as Persephone, Levi Kreis as Hermes, and Belén Moyano, Bex Odorisio, and Shea Renne as the Fates. The tour closed on May 26, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, after more than 980 performances in 85 cities across the U.S. and Canada.
Second Non-Equity Tour (2024-2026)
A non-Equity national tour began on October 3, 2024 at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, Connecticut. It is directed by Keenan Tyler Oliphant and choreographed by T. Oliver Reid. The cast originally starred Nickolaus Colón as Hades, Megan Colton as Eurydice, Jaylon C. Crump as Hermes, Namisa Mdlalose Bizana as Persephone and Bryan Munar as Orpheus. Performances are scheduled to end at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, in June 2026.
International Productions
South Korea (2021-2022, 2024)
A South Korean production of Hadestown ran from August 2021 to February 2022, at the LG Arts Center in Seoul. This Korean-language production starred Zo Hyung-gyun, Kang-hyun Park, and Xiumin rotating as Orpheus, and Kim Hwan-hee and Kim Soo-ha rotating as Eurydice. The production won Best Musical at the Korea Musical Awards.
The musical returned to South Korea from July 12, 2024 and played until October 6 at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul. Hyung-gyun and Park reprised the role of Orpheus, with Kim Min-seok. Hwan-hee and Soo-ha reprised their roles as Eurydice.
West End (2024-Present)
Hadestown began previews on February 10, 2024, in the West End with an official opening on February 21, at the Lyric Theatre, London. The cast includes Dónal Finn as Orpheus, Grace Hodgett Young as Eurydice, Zachary James as Hades, Melanie La Barrie as Hermes, and Gloria Onitiri as Persephone. The production is scheduled to run to at least February 15, 2026.
Original Broadway Cast Return
Five of the original London and Broadway cast members, Carney, Noblezada, Page, Gray and De Shields, reprised their roles in the West End production for five weeks in February and March 2025. Tickets sold out for this cast’s return in “a matter of hours”. After Page was injured during rehearsals, Phillip Boykin stepped into the role. Page returned only for the filming of the production with this cast on February 28 and March 1, 2025.
A live cast recording was released on December 6, 2024.
Australia (2025)
A production opened in Sydney, Australia, at the Theatre Royal, on February 10, 2025, co-produced by Opera Australia. The cast included Christine Anu as Hermes, Noah Mullins as Orpheus, Abigail Adriano as Eurydice, Adrian Tamburini as Hades and Elenoa Rokobaro as Persephone. The production closed in Sydney on April 26, opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne on May 8 and closed on July 13.
Netherlands (2025)
A staging opened in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the Royal Theater Carré on June 20, 2025. The cast includes Claudia de Breij and Maarten Heijmans as Hermes, Jeangu Macrooy as Orpheus, Sara Afiba as Eurydice, Edwin Jonker as Hades, and Joy Wielkens as Persephone. The production closed on September 6, 2025.
Themes and Cultural Impact
Political and Romantic Power
Climate Change Allegory
Environmental Message
Director Rachel Chavkin said addressing climate change had always been central to the show: “As we thought more and more about shaping the world that Eurydice and Orpheus are living in — a world caused, in Greek mythological terms, by the decay of the ancient marriage between Hades and Persephone, a world that is out of balance, where it is either freezing or blazing hot, where food becomes scarcer and the idea of stability becomes harder to imagine.” The show did a joint promotion with Natural Resources Defense Council to raise awareness about climate change.
Economic Justice Themes
US cultural commentator Bridget Read highlights the economic themes: “Orpheus and Eurydice’s tragedy becomes, in the hands of Mitchell, an argument for collective bargaining…I don’t think its untoward of me to hear the class politics in a musical in which the characters sing the word poverty more times than I’ve ever heard it before in the vicinity of Times Square.”
The Power of Art
Todd Osborne comments on the self-conscious significance of the medium within the work: “It is a musical both about how art can save us and how, especially in an apocalyptic world, hope might be the only thing we have left.”
Global Recognition
In China, The Paper has published a review of Hadestown, “The Realm Underneath: Hadestown and Utopia” by historian Hansong Li, who frames the musical as a work of not only musical ingenuity but also social critique. Japanese producer Madoka Imura and theatre journalist Yusei Kageyama praised the musical for its novelty and creativity, in contrast to a recent trend in Broadway to “avoid risks” by adapting films and recasting classics.
Awards and Recognition
2019 Tony Awards
| Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Best Musical | Hadestown | WON |
| Best Book of a Musical | Anaïs Mitchell | Nominated |
| Best Original Score | Anaïs Mitchell | WON |
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role | Reeve Carney | Nominated |
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role | Eva Noblezada | Nominated |
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role | André De Shields | WON |
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role | Patrick Page | Nominated |
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role | Amber Gray | Nominated |
| Best Direction of a Musical | Rachel Chavkin | WON |
| Best Choreography | David Neumann | Nominated |
| Best Orchestrations | Michael Chorney & Todd Sickafoose | WON |
| Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Rachel Hauck | WON |
| Best Costume Design of a Musical | Michael Krass | Nominated |
| Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Bradley King | WON |
| Best Sound Design of a Musical | Nevin Steinberg & Jessica Paz | WON |
Other Major Awards
- 2019 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Featured Actor (André De Shields), Outstanding Music, Outstanding Orchestrations
- 2019 Drama League Awards: Outstanding Production of a Musical
- 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Outstanding New Broadway Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Rachel Chavkin)
- 2020 Grammy Awards: Best Musical Theater Album (WON)
- 2024 Olivier Awards: Best New Musical (Nominated), Best Actor in a Musical (Nominated)
- 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards: Best New Musical (WON)
Cast Recordings
Album Releases
- Concept Album (2010): Released March 9, 2010 through Righteous Babe Records
- Off-Broadway Live Album (2017): Released October 6, 2017 through Parlophone Records
- Broadway Cast Recording (2019): Released digitally July 26, 2019 through Sing It Again Records; two-CD physical release followed
- If the Fates Allow (2020): Holiday album by the Fates, released November 20, 2020
- West End Live Recording (2024): Released December 6, 2024 on streaming, CD and vinyl
Legacy and Impact
A Modern Folk-Opera
Hadestown represents a remarkable achievement in contemporary musical theater, transforming an ancient Greek myth into a powerful commentary on love, poverty, climate change, and the power of art. Anaïs Mitchell’s journey from Vermont coffee houses to Broadway triumph demonstrates the enduring appeal of myth when reimagined for modern audiences.
The Story We Tell Again and Again
The musical’s cyclical structure—ending where it begins, acknowledging that despite knowing the tragic outcome, “we’re gonna sing it again and again”—speaks to the power of storytelling itself. Hadestown asks why we retell stories we know will end in sorrow, and answers that it’s in the retelling, the hope, and the attempt that we find meaning.
Industrial Underworld
By reimagining the Greek underworld as a hellish industrial factory and Hades as a Depression-era boss building a wall to keep workers in, Hadestown creates a mythology that speaks directly to contemporary concerns about economic inequality, workers’ rights, and authoritarian control. The show’s prescient critique of wall-building and its exploration of how poverty and desperation can trap people in cycles of exploitation resonates powerfully in the 21st century.
Why We Build the Wall
As Hadestown continues to run on Broadway and tour the world, it stands as one of the most artistically ambitious and socially conscious musicals of its generation. With its folk-opera score, its commitment to addressing urgent social issues, and its faith in the transformative power of art, Hadestown has earned its place as a modern classic of the American musical theater canon.
