Hadestown at Ohio Theatre

This spring, Ohio Theatre in Columbus will present the long running Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological narrative 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 Saturday 16th May 2026 showing start at $120 per seat.

Origins

Hadestown first came to stage in 2006 with a regional performance. Years later, the writer, Anaïs Mitchell, developed the broadway musical, which she said was inspired by Les Misérables. After enhancing character backgrounds, it eventually made its debut off-Broadway in 2016. 

The production went on to successfully tour Canada and London in the next couple of years. Its debut on Broadway in 2019 and went on to set a record for the longest-running Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatre by early 2023. Hadestown opened a North American tour beginning in 2021. Hadestown may have been an unlikely success story at the time when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has grown into a highly respected and admired musical for many fans.

Story

The Greek mythology of the Hadestown musical opens by introducing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus proposed to Eurydice, but she is unsure because both of them live in poverty. Eventually, they become lovers. 

Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone enter the musical when Hades comes to the surface to take Persephone to the Underworld against her wishes. Eurydice sees an opportunity working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is frustrated arguing with Persephone about the benefits of the Underworld. He decides to go to the world above to try to find someone who will appreciate working in the Underworld before finding Eurydice. She opts to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus discovers what happened, he decides to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he reaches the Underworld, Eurydice figures out working in the Underworld is not the rewarding 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 surface. The subsequent decision and journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Recognitions

Reviewers offer constant praise of Hadestown. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a furnace-like blast of creativity,” while Forbes declared it “an epic celebration of music, togetherness, and hope.” It secured Tony Awards in 8 different areas, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Hadestown garnered 14 Tony Award nominations in all.

The musicians behind Hadestown used a blend of folk and jazz to tell the modern take on the Underworld from Greek mythology. As part of 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 buying the album, while others experience the music for the first time when attending a performance.