Reeve Carney to depart 'Hadestown' on Broadway
Carney has played the lead role of Orpheus in Anaïs Mitchell's Tony Award-winning musical since its 2017 pre-Broadway premiere in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
He's going, too. Original Hadestown Broadway cast member Reeve Carney will depart the show, playing his final performance at the Walter Kerr Theatre on November 19.
Carney has played the lead role of Orpheus on Broadway since its 2019 premiere. He first originated the character in two pre-Broadway premieres: the 2017 Canadian production in Edmonton, Alberta, and in London's West End in 2018.
“My gratitude goes out to Anäis Mitchell and all who have touched this show with their divine intention,” said Carney. “To my fellow cast mates, who have been with me in the trenches, giving of themselves freely and unceasingly, on and off the stage. Thank you... And to our incredible audiences here at the Walter Kerr Theatre... It has been an honor bringing this story to life for you all night after night over these many years.”
Carney's departure comes shortly after fellow original cast member Eva Noblezada, who earned a Tony Award nomination for starring as Eurydice, played her final performance in August.
Replacement casting for Orpheus has yet to be announced. The current Hadestown cast includes Lillias White as Hermes, Solea Pfeiffer as Eurydice, Betty Who as Persephone, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Amelia Cormack, Lindsey Hailes, and Brit West as the Fates.
Written by Anäis Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown reimagines the ancient Greek myth of lovers Orpheus and Eurydice. When the poor Eurydice descends into Hades's underworld sweatshop, Orpheus takes a dangerous journey to rescue her. The show won eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“Reeve helped define both stories at the center of this show — the cosmic love story of a young man who changes the laws of the space time continuum to save his lover, and the political story of a ‘poor boy’ who gets angry enough to question ‘the king,’” said Chavkin. “His extraordinary musicianship as guitarist and singer was an endless source of inspiration to both Anaïs and I in the creation of the show, and his elegant leadership as an actor and company member, both onstage and off, will be deeply missed.”
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Photo credit: Reeve Carney and Solea Pfeiffer in Hadestown. (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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