The Broadway musical Hadestown first premiered in 2016 and has become a popular and critically acclaimed show. With music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell and developed and directed by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown intertwines the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone. It tells an inventive folk-operatic retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus’ quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice. The duration of the show is an important factor for audiences to understand when attending a Broadway production. In this article, we will explore the standard length of a performance of Hadestown.
What is the show about?
Hadestown is a modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice Greek myth. In the musical, Orpheus is a young poet and singer whose songs can soothe even the most savage of beasts. Eurydice is Orpheus’ lover and muse. Hades is the king of the underworld, and Persephone is his wife.
Each year, Persephone must return to the underworld with Hades for six months, leaving the earth cold and barren for the winter. One year, Orpheus travels to the underworld to try and free Eurydice after she dies too young. Hades challenges Orpheus to a song battle, betting that Orpheus’ song will not be able to move the heart of the king of the underworld.
The musical explores themes of artistry, love, doubt, trust, and human frailty through its reimagining of this classic myth. The folk-inspired music draws on early 20th century American roots music.
Key Characters
- Orpheus – A struggling songwriter who journeys to the underworld to rescue his lover Eurydice
- Eurydice – Orpheus’ lover and muse
- Hades – The king of the underworld
- Persephone – Hades’ wife and the goddess of spring
Length of a Broadway Performance
The standard length of a Broadway performance of Hadestown is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission between the two acts.
Most Broadway shows run between 2 and 3 hours total, with musicals generally on the longer side. The average length of a musical is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, so Hadestown fits right within that standard length.
Breakdown of Running Time
Here is an approximate breakdown of the running time of Hadestown:
- Act 1: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Intermission: 15 minutes
- Act 2: 1 hour
- Total Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
The first act is a bit longer than the second act, with the intermission separating the two. This is fairly typical structure for a two act Broadway show.
How Does Hadestown’s Length Compare to Other Popular Broadway Musicals?
Hadestown’s running time is very comparable to some other popular current Broadway musical hits:
Musical | Length |
---|---|
Hadestown | 2 hrs 30 mins |
Hamilton | 2 hrs 45 mins |
Wicked | 2 hrs 30 mins |
The Lion King | 2 hrs 30 mins |
Dear Evan Hansen | 2 hrs 30 mins |
Come From Away | 1 hr 40 mins |
As you can see, the most popular modern Broadway musicals tend to clock in within the 2 to 3 hour range, similar to Hadestown. Shows like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen match Hadestown’s running time almost exactly at 2 and a half hours.
The Broadway version of Hadestown is intermissionless—the whole show plays through without an intermission:
Production | Length |
---|---|
Broadway | 2 hrs 30 mins (with intermission) |
National Tour | 2 hrs 30 mins (with intermission) |
West End | 2 hrs 35 mins (with intermission) |
Original Off-Broadway | 2 hrs 15 mins (intermissionless) |
This table compares the length and intermission status of the Broadway production versus other productions of Hadestown. The Off-Broadway version was shorter and performed all the way through without pause.
What Factors Determine the Length of a Broadway Show?
Some key factors that determine how long a Broadway show will run include:
Number of Songs
Musicals naturally take more time than straight plays because of the addition of music numbers. Hadestown has a full musical score with over 20 songs, which adds to the running time.
Amount of Dialogue
The amount of spoken dialogue also impacts the length. Shows like Hamilton have very dense, lyrical dialogue that requires more stage time. Hadestown’s poetic script likely adds a bit more time compared to a show with sparse dialogue.
Elaborate Set Changes/Costume Changes
Any major scene changes, quick changes, or special effects that require extra time will lengthen the show. Hadestown has a relatively simple set design, so there are no unusually long transitions between scenes.
Built In Intermission
Most 2+ hour Broadway shows include a 15 minute intermission to give the audience (and performers!) a quick break. Hadestown’s intermission accounts for part of its runtime.
Artistic Choices
The director and creative team’s vision impacts timing. Quick pacing vs. dramatic pauses can shorten or lengthen scenes considerably.
Conclusion
To conclude, a typical full length performance of the hit Broadway musical Hadestown runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. This falls right in line with the average running time of most modern Broadway musicals. The show contains over 20 musical numbers and substantial dialogue, leading to a full evening’s entertainment. Factors like the amount of music, dialogue, and built-in intermission all contribute to making the show the standard length for a musical. Hadestown’s duration gives audiences a fantastic experience, retelling a classic myth through poignant story and song.