Ani DiFranco to make her Broadway debut in 'Hadestown'
The Grammy Award-winning musician, who originated the role of Persephone on the show's initial concept album, will now play the role at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
She's livin' it up on top! Grammy Award winner Ani DiFranco will make her Broadway debut in Hadestown, beginning on February 9 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Known as the "Little Folksinger," DiFranco is known for being one of the first musical artists to create her own record label, Righteous Babe Records, in the 1990s. She has performed with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Brandi Carlile, and more, and her best-known albums include Little Plastic Castle and 2021's Revolutionary Love.
DiFranco's history with Hadestown began in 2010, when creator Anaïs Mitchell was first making Hadestown into a concept album. DiFranco originated the role of Persephone on the album and invited Mitchell to release it through Righteous Babe Records.
Now, DiFranco will play Persephone on stage, replacing fellow musician Betty Who, who departs the show on February 4. The Hadestown Broadway cast also includes Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Lillias White as Hermes, Phillip Boykin as Hades, Solea Pfeiffer as Eurydice, and Lindsey Hailes, Belén Moyano, and Brit West as the Fates.
Hadestown reimagines the Greek myths of Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, Persephone, and more as a tragic love story with a folk and jazz sound. Upon premiering on Broadway in 2019, the show won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Mitchell, and Best Direction of a Musical for Rachel Chavkin.
Get Hadestown tickets now.
Photo credit: Ani DiFranco. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
Frequently asked questions
What is Hadestown about?
This eight-time Tony-winning Best Musical puts a fresh spin on Greek myths, infusing them with jazz and folk music. Struggling to survive, Eurydice agrees to work at Hades's soulless factory, and Orpheus embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her. Get tickets to the genre-defying Hadestown, which combines disparate histories and music styles into a groundbreaking story.
Where is Hadestown playing?
Hadestown is playing at Walter Kerr Theatre . The theatre is located at 219 West 48th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.
How long is Hadestown?
The running time of Hadestown is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 intermission.
What's the age requirement for Hadestown?
The recommended age for Hadestown is Ages 8+. Children under 5 are not permitted in the theater..
How do you book tickets for Hadestown?
Book tickets for Hadestown on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote Hadestown?
Anaïs Mitchell wrote both the script and the songs of Hadestown. She had been working on the musical since 2006, when an early version premiered in Vermont, and worked with director Rachel Chavkin to turn that show and its 2010 concept album into a full-fledged musical.
Which songs are in Hadestown?
The songs in Hadestown include "Wait For Me," "Livin' It Up on Top," "We Raise Our Cups," and "When the Chips Are Down." Hadestown is mostly sung-through, so snippets of songs appear throughout the show in place of traditional scenes. Learn about all the songs in Hadestown on Broadway.
Is Hadestown appropriate for kids?
Hadestown is recommended for children 8 and older. There is no content that would be inappropriate for young children. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
Who directed Hadestown?
Rachel Chavkin is the director of Hadestown and won a 2019 Tony Award for her work. She is also a creative consultant on the musical, as she helped Anaïs Mitchell expand Hadestown from a concept album into a full-fledged musical.
Which Greek myth is Hadestown based on?
Hadestown is primarily based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but the musical also weaves in the myth of Hades and Persephone. Learn more about the Greek mythology that inspired Hadestown.
When did Hadestown open on Broadway?
Hadestown began Broadway performances in March 2019 and won eight Tony Awards that year. The show is now the longest-running production to ever play the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Is Hadestown good?
New York Theatre Guide's four-star Hadestown review reads, "Going to hell has never been as much fun as seeing a performance of Anaïs Mitchell's musical Hadestown." The show has a unique folk and jazz score and tells a timeless romantic tragedy, and it is among the best-reviewed Broadway shows on New York Theatre Guide.
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