Stephanie Mills to join 'Hadestown' Broadway cast

The Grammy Award-winning musician and actress, known for starring as Dorothy in the original production of The Wiz, will perform in the show from July.

She's easing on down the road to hell! Stephanie Mills will return to Broadway for the first time since 1989 in Hadestown, beginning performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre on July 2.

“After nearly 50 years in the entertainment business, which is all I’ve ever known, every fiber of my professional being I owe to the discipline of my Broadway training as a child at the beginning of my career,” Mills said in a statement. “The joy of life’s full circle moment for me is returning to my roots — only this time as Hermes in Hadestown. Power!”

Mills made her Broadway debut in 1968's Maggie Flynn, but she rose to stardom for playing Dorothy in the original production of The Wiz (currently on Broadway once more) and its 1984 revival. She also played an eight-performance theatrical concert, Stephanie Mills Comes "Home" to Broadway, in 1989.

She went on to have a Grammy-winning music career and also played Aunt Em in The Wiz: Live on NBC.

Now, Mills will replace Jon Jon Briones in the lead role of Hermes. As previously announced, Jon Jon Briones, Isa Briones (as Eurydice), and Ani DiFranco (as Persephone) will all play their final performances on June 30; Maia Reficco and Yola will also join the cast in their respective roles on July 2.

Continuing Hadestown cast members include Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Jessie Shelton, Kay Trinidad, and Brit West as the Fates.

Anaïs Mitchell’s musical Hadestown reimagines the Greek myths of lovers Orpheus and Eurydice and gods Hades and Persephone with a modern folk and jazz flair. The show won five 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Get Hadestown tickets now.

Photo credit: Stephanie Mills. (Photo courtesy of production)