Hadestown at Saenger Theatre

This January, Saenger Theatre in New Orleans will host the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological narrative follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives cross the path of Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Sunday 25th January 2026 showing start at $103 per seat.

History

Hadestown first came to stage in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Years later, the creator, Anaïs Mitchell, developed the broadway musical, after taking inspiration from Les Misérables. After adding more songs, it eventually made its debut off-Broadway in 2016. 

The musical had successful runs in Canada and London in the next couple of years. Its debut on Broadway in 2019 and went on to become the longest-running show at the Walter Kerr Theatre by early 2023. Hadestown started a North American tour beginning in 2021. It was an underdog when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. Today it has become a highly respected and admired musical for many fans.

Synopsis

The mythology of the Hadestown musical opens by introducing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus proposed to Eurydice, but she is hesitant because both of them live in poor conditions. Eventually, they fall in love. 

Hades and Persephone enter the picture when Hades visits the surface to return Persephone to the Underworld against her wishes. Eurydice becomes intrigued by working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is frustrated arguing with Persephone about the benefits of the Underworld. In his desperation, Hades visits the surface to find someone who will learn to like working in the Underworld before meeting Eurydice. She decides to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus finds out about Eurydice's departure, he decides to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he travels to the Underworld, Eurydice discovers working in the Underworld is not the positive experience Hades made it seem to be. Orpheus and Eurydice talk to Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and allowing her return to the living world. The journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Recognitions

Fans offer constant 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 received Tony Awards in eight different areas, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Hadestown garnered 14 Tony Award nominations in all.

The creators behind Hadestown used a blend of folk and jazz to tell the tale 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 musical’s songs. Some people see the show after purchasing the album, while others hear the music for the first time when attending a performance.