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)
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.
Originally published on
