Hadestown at Paramount Theatre Seattle

This January, Paramount Theatre in Seattle will host the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological narrative follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the challenges of love and poverty while their lives become interlaced with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Wednesday 20th January 2027 showing start at $105 per seat.

Origins

Hadestown originated in 2006 with a regional performance. Years later, the creator, Anaïs Mitchell, stuck with her idea, which she said was inspired by Les Misérables. After revamping it, it eventually opened 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 Theatreafter 4 years. Hadestown began a North American tour beginning in 2021. It was unknown when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has grown into a highly respected and popular 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 fall in love. 

Hades and Persephone enter the story when Hades comes to the surface to return Persephone back to the Underworld against her wishes. During this time, Eurydice becomes intrigued by working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is tired of arguing with Persephone about the charms of the Underworld. In his desperation, Hades visits the surface to find someone who will learn to like working in the Underworld before discovering Eurydice. She chooses to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus discovers about Eurydice's departure, he decides to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he arrives in the Underworld, Eurydice discovers working in the Underworld is not the rewarding experience Hades made it seem to be. Orpheus and Eurydice talk to 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.

Awards

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 received Tony Awards in 8 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 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 hearing the album, while others hear the music for the first time when attending a performance.