Hadestown at Walter Kerr Theatre

This August, Walter Kerr Theatre in New York will present the long running Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological narrative follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives become interlaced with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Tuesday 26th August 2025 showing start at $111 per seat.

Origins

Hadestown originated in 2006 with a regional performance. Years later, the writer, Anaïs Mitchell, stuck with her idea, after taking inspiration from Les Misérables. After revamping it, it eventually made its debut off-Broadway in 2016. 

The musical had successful runs in Canada and London in the next couple of years. Its debut on Broadway in 2019 and went on to become the longest-running Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatre by early 2023. It started a North American tour beginning in 2021. It was unknown when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has become a highly respected and popular musical for many fans.

Story

The mythology adaptation of the Hadestown musical opens by showcasing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus proposed to Eurydice, but she is unsure because both of them live in poor conditions. Eventually, they become lovers despite their problems. 

Hades and Persephone enter the musical when Hades comes to the surface to take Persephone back to the Underworld against her wishes. During this time, Eurydice hears about working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is frustrated arguing with Persephone about the benefits of the Underworld. He decides to go to the world above to try to find someone who will appreciate working in the Underworld before discovering Eurydice. She decides to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus learns about Eurydice's departure, he vows to travel to the Underworld to bring her back. By the time he travels to the Underworld, Eurydice realizes working in the Underworld is not the rewarding experience Hades made it seem to be. Orpheus and Eurydice meet with Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and allowing her return to the surface. The journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice share.

Awards

Critics offer high praise of Hadestown. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a furnace-like blast of creativity,” while Forbes declared it “an epic celebration of music, togetherness, and hope.” It received Tony Awards in 8 different categories, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Hadestown garnered 14 Tony Award nominations in all.

The creators behind Hadestown used a blend of folk and jazz music to tell the story the Underworld from Greek mythology. During the 2020 Grammy Awards, Hadestown won an award for the Best Musical Theater Album. This collection features the Broadway cast recording of the show’s songs. Some fans of the show see the show after buying the album, while others hear the music for the first time when attending a performance.