Show guide
Hadestown
Hadestown reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as a smoky, folk-infused journey between the world above and the underworld below.
- Broadway premiere
- 2019
- Music by
- Anaïs Mitchell
- Genre
- Rock/Pop
- Setting
- Timeless
Hadestown: quick answers
What is Hadestown about?
- Hadestown intertwines two Greek myths: the poor young singer Orpheus tries to rescue his love, Eurydice, from Hades' underground factory town, while the god Hades and his wife Persephone struggle to save their own marriage.
When did Hadestown open on Broadway?
- Hadestown opened on Broadway on April 17, 2019, at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it is still running. It won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
Is Hadestown sung-through?
- Nearly. Anaïs Mitchell first staged it in Vermont in 2006 as a sung-through piece, and it remains almost entirely music, with 33 songs, though she added some dialogue when she reworked it with director Rachel Chavkin.
Where and when is Hadestown set?
- Hadestown unfolds in a mythic world, moving between a hardscrabble world above, beset by famine and harsh weather, and Hadestown, the underground factory ruled by Hades.
Has Hadestown played in London's West End?
- After a run at London's National Theatre from November 2018 to January 2019, Hadestown opened in the West End at the Lyric Theatre on February 21, 2024.
Is there a Hadestown movie?
- A filmed version, Hadestown: The Musical, was recorded at the West End production in 2025 with five original Broadway principals and released in North American cinemas on July 24, 2026.
The story of Hadestown
Hadestown retells the myth of Orpheus, a poor young musician, and Eurydice, the woman he loves, whose desperation leads her down to the underworld ruled by Hades. Orpheus follows her there, hoping his music can persuade Hades to let her go, all while the story is narrated and guided by the messenger god Hermes.
Because it draws on ancient myth rather than a specific historical period, the show exists in a kind of timeless space, part Depression-era work camp, part eternal underworld, letting its themes of love, doubt, and economic hardship feel both ancient and immediate.
The music and the makers
The score was written by singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell, who originally conceived the material as a folk album before it grew into a full stage musical. Her songs blend folk, blues, and jazz influences into something warm, earthy, and hypnotic, driven by storytelling melodies and a strong sense of groove.
That folk and roots foundation gives Hadestown a distinct sound on Broadway, closer to a concept album brought to life than a traditional book musical, with a live-band feel that runs through the entire score.
Hadestown on Broadway
Hadestown arrived on Broadway in 2019, after years of development from small folk-opera stagings into a full Broadway production, and it quickly became known for its immersive design and inventive staging of the underworld setting. It represents a modern strand of Broadway storytelling that reaches back to myth for material that still speaks to present-day concerns.
Its appeal lies in that combination of an ancient, familiar story with a wholly original musical language, drawing audiences who love both traditional theatre and contemporary singer-songwriter music.
Hadestown: frequently asked questions
When did Hadestown open on Broadway?
Hadestown opened on Broadway in 2019.
Who wrote Hadestown?
Singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell wrote the music and lyrics.
What is Hadestown based on?
It is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
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