Hadestown at Walter Kerr Theatre

This October, Walter Kerr Theatre in New York will present the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological story follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives become intertwined with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Friday 3rd October 2025 showing start at $99 per seat.

Origins

Hadestown originated in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Several years afterward, the writer, Anaïs Mitchell, stuck with her idea, after taking inspiration from Les Misérables. After enhancing character backgrounds, it eventually opened off-Broadway in 2016. 

The musical had successful runs in Canada and London in the next couple of years. It appeared on Broadway in 2019 and went on to set a record for the longest-running show at the Walter Kerr Theatreafter 4 years. It began a North American tour beginning in 2021. Hadestown may have been an unlikely success story when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. Today it has developed into a highly respected and popular musical for many fans.

Synopsis

The Greek mythology of the Hadestown musical opens by introducing 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. 

Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone enter the story when Hades comes to the surface to take Persephone to the Underworld. Eurydice becomes intrigued by working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is frustrated arguing with Persephone about the charms 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 chooses to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her love of Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus learns what happened, he promises 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 enjoyable experience Hades made it appear to be. Orpheus and Eurydice talk to Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and allowing her return to the surface. The subsequent decision and journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Awards

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

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