Grammy winner Allison Russell makes her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning musical Hadestown starting November 12 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Known for her acclaimed Americana and roots albums Outside Child and The Returner, Russell steps into the role of Persephone.
In an earlier statement Russell said, “I first heard Anaïs Mitchell sing 'Why
We Build The Wall' in 2008 at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara,
California. She was opening the show at a concert series called Sings Like
Hell (really) for my partner’s band JT & The Clouds. I was
transfixed. When Anaïs told me later that night that she was working on a
'folk opera' based on the myth of Orpheus & Eurydice, all my hairs
stood on end—I had a premonition that it would be become a work that
would outlive us all."
The Grammy winner continued, "Impossible for me to fully convey how
deeply meaningful, resonant, uplifting, and full circle it is to be
making my Broadway debut, starring in the role of Persephone (a goddess
and archetype I have explored in both poetry and song myself since
childhood) in this timeless instant classic. I am proud to be joining
the sisterhood of artists who’ve embodied Persephone, proud to be
joining this extraordinary ensemble, proud to become a part of this
living, growing legacy. This is a world I’ve dreamt of and one I get to
live in now. I am excited and grateful beyond measure to be joining Hadestown! See you way down under the ground!”
Video: Maia Reficco on Adding a Bit of Spanish to Eurydice in Hadestown
Hadestown currently stars Tony winner Lillias White as Hermes, Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Maia Reficco as Eurydice. They are joined by Belen Moyano, Jessie Shelton, and Brit West as the Fates. The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Timothy H. Lee, Eddie Noel Rodriguez, and Grace Yoo. The cast also includes swings Sojourner Brown, Brandon Cameron, KC Dela Cruz, Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, and Tanner Ray Wilson.
Purchase Hadestown memorabilia in the Playbill Store.
Singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s folk- and jazz-infused musical layers the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with that of Hades and Persephone, intertwining the actions—and consequences—of gods and mortals. Hadestown originally began as a theatrical concert performed by Mitchell.
The creative team features Tony-winning set designer Rachel Hauck, Tony-nominated costume designer Michael Krass, Tony-winning lighting designer Bradley King, Tony-winning sound designers Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, choreographer David Neumann, and dramaturg Ken Cerniglia. Musical supervision and vocal arrangements are by Liam Robinson, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tony winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose.
Video: Jordan Fisher Cracks Open the Wall With 'Epic III' From Hadestown
The show, featuring a book and score by Mitchell, won eight 2019 Tony Awards: Best Director of a Musical (Rachel Chavkin), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (André De Shields), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Bradley King), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Rachel Hauck), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Jessica Paz and Nevin Steinberg), Best Orchestrations (Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose), Best Original Score (Mitchell), and Best Musical.
