Hadestown at Music Hall at Fair Park

Coming up in February, Music Hall At Fair Park in Dallas will present the long running Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological tale follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives become intertwined with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Tuesday 25th February 2025 showing start at $54 per seat.

Origins

Hadestown originated in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Several years afterward, the creator, Anaïs Mitchell, stuck with her idea, which she said was inspired by Les Misérables. After enhancing character backgrounds, it eventually made its debut off-Broadway in 2016. 

The musical went on to successfully tour Canada and London in the next couple of years. Its debut on Broadway in 2019 and went on to become the longest-running Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatreafter 4 years. Hadestown began a North American tour beginning in 2021. Hadestown may have been an underdog when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has become a highly respected and popular musical for many fans.

Synopsis

The mythology adaptation of the Hadestown musical opens by showcasing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus asks Eurydice to marry him, but she is unsure because both of them live in poor conditions. Eventually, they become lovers despite their problems. 

Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone enter the story when Hades visits the world above to return Persephone to the Underworld against her wishes. Eurydice sees an opportunity working in the Underworld as a way out of poverty. Hades dislikes arguing with Persephone about the benefits of the Underworld. He decides to go to the world above to try to find someone who will learn to like working in the Underworld before meeting Eurydice. She opts to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her love of Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus finds out about Eurydice's departure, he promises to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he reaches the Underworld, Eurydice discovers working in the Underworld is not the positive experience Hades made it seem to be. Orpheus and Eurydice meet with Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and letting her return to the above world. The subsequent decision and journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Recognitions

Fans offer high praise of Hadestown. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a furnace-like blast of creativity,” while Forbes said it’s “an epic celebration of music, togetherness, and hope.” It won Tony Awards in eight different categories, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Hadestown received 14 Tony Award nominations in all.

The writers behind Hadestown used a blend of folk and jazz music to tell the modern take on the Underworld from Greek mythology. At the 2020 Grammy Awards, Hadestown won an award for the Best Musical Theater Album. This recording features the Broadway cast recording of the show’s songs. Some people see the show after buying the album, while others hear the music for the first time when attending a performance.