Hadestown is a popular Broadway musical that is currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City. The show, which is a modern retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, has been playing on Broadway since 2019. Keep reading to learn more about where you can see Hadestown live in NYC.
What is Hadestown?
Hadestown is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell. It tells the intertwined mythical stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone. Set in a post-apocalyptic American Southwest, the musical follows Orpheus’ quest to overcome Hades and regain the favor of his one true love, Eurydice.
Mitchell began working on the musical as a folk opera in 2006, and premiered it as a stage production in Vermont in 2006. After further development and workshops, the show opened on Broadway in 2019 to critical acclaim.
Hadestown integrates Mitchell’s folk and jazz influences into a post-modern score, with instruments including banjo, piano, horns, and synthetic tones. The music contrasts the worlds above ground and below ground, with Hades’ underworld inspired by early 20th century New Orleans jazz.
What theater is Hadestown playing at in New York City?
Hadestown is currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre, located at 219 West 48th Street in midtown Manhattan. The Walter Kerr Theatre has been home to Hadestown since the show opened on Broadway in April 2019.
The Walter Kerr Theatre is operated by the Jujamcyn theater company and has a seating capacity of 975. The theater originally opened in 1921 and has hosted many notable Broadway shows over the years, including Spring Awakening, American Idiot, and Hello, Dolly!
Background on Hadestown’s Broadway Run
Hadestown’s pre-Broadway productions
Before opening on Broadway, Hadestown went through several stages of development and production:
2006 | Anaïs Mitchell releases Hadestown as a folk opera concept album. |
2016 | Hadestown premieres as a stage show at the New York Theatre Workshop, directed by Rachel Chavkin. |
2017 | The show runs at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Canada. |
2018 | Hadestown has a successful, sold-out run at the Royal National Theatre in London. |
These productions allowed Mitchell and Chavkin to refine the show before its high-profile Broadway debut.
Hadestown’s success on Broadway
Hadestown opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre on April 17, 2019, after beginning preview performances a month earlier.
The show earned strong reviews from critics and quickly became a hot ticket, with audiences drawn to its imaginative staging and New Orleans-inspired musical score.
Some key successes for Hadestown’s Broadway run:
– Earned 8 Tony Award nominations in 2019 including Best Musical, winning for Best Score and Best Set Design
– Recouped its $11.5 million capitalization in September 2019 after just 23 weeks, an unusually fast rate for a Broadway show
– Has consistently performed to over 90% capacity houses since opening
– Grossed over $100 million as of late 2022
– Launched a North American national tour which kicked off in fall 2022
Thanks to strong word of mouth and critical acclaim, Hadestown has built momentum over its Broadway run and developed a devoted fan following.
Attending Hadestown on Broadway
Getting tickets to see Hadestown
Due to its popularity, getting tickets to see Hadestown on Broadway can be competitive. Here are some tips:
– Buy early – tickets can sell out months in advance, especially the best seats for weekend shows. Buying 3-4 months ahead is ideal.
– Aim for weeknights – Tuesday through Thursday shows are less crowded than weekends.
– Check theater websites for lotteries and rush policies to get discounted last minute tickets. Hadestown offers a digital lottery through the TodayTix app.
– Sign up for ticket alerts – services like BroadwayBox can notify you when discount seats are released.
– Avoid brokers/resellers – prices are inflated, often exorbitantly. Stick to theater box offices and official ticketing sites.
– Matinees are in less demand than evenings – consider a weekend afternoon show.
What to expect when seeing Hadestown live
Hadestown is an exciting, visually stunning theatrical experience. Here are some things to expect when seeing the show live in New York:
– A theater in the round staging – the stage is surrounded by seating on all sides for an immersive experience.
– Elaborate Art Deco-inspired set design – the set uses moving parts and industrial imagery to evoke Hades’ underworld.
– Tony-winning lighting design – moody lighting sets the show’s atmosphere.
– A versatile cast playing multiple roles – the ensemble takes on different parts and instruments.
– Thrilling choreography and messy on-stage effects – the show features complex dance scenes and elements like rain and dirt.
– Fantastic live music – the on-stage band delivers Mitchell’s folk-jazz score flawlessly.
– Emotional storytelling – the mythic love story is told in an accessible, affecting way.
– An intimate theater – with under 1,000 seats, there isn’t a bad view. The smallest details are visible.
Hadestown is a first-rate Broadway spectacle. The Walter Kerr Theatre provides an excellent vantage to soak in all aspects of the production.
History of the Walter Kerr Theatre
The theater’s early years
The Walter Kerr Theatre has a rich history as part of New York’s Theater District. Originally known as the Ritz Theatre, the venue was constructed in 1921 and designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp. It was built by the Chanin Brothers as part of a complex that also included the Royale Theatre.
In its early years, the Ritz hosted both plays and musicals, including:
– The Enchanted Cottage (1923)
– Queen High starring Bert Lahr (1926)
– Eugene O’Neill’s Marco Millions (1928)
The theater came under ownership of the Shuberts in the 1930s and underwent occasional name changes, but primarily operated as the Ritz through the mid 1960s.
Notable productions
Under various owners and names over the decades, the Walter Kerr Theatre hosted many acclaimed shows:
1975 | The Wiz |
1977 | For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf |
1981 | Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music (Tony Award winner) |
1984 | Hurlyburly |
2002 | Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Tony winner) |
2007 | Spring Awakening (Tony winner) |
Other famous productions at the theater include Equus, Coastal Disturbances, and the original production of A Chorus Line.
Honoring Walter Kerr
In 1990, Jujamcyn Theaters took over ownership and renamed the venue after prominent theater critic Walter Kerr. Kerr had died the year prior, and had hosted television programs about Broadway during his career.
Planning Your Trip to See Hadestown
Getting to the Walter Kerr Theatre
The Walter Kerr Theatre is located in the heart of Manhattan’s busy Theater District, but getting there is convenient:
– Located on West 48th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue.
– Can walk from major hubs like Times Square (15 mins) or Rockefeller Center (20 mins).
– Close to multiple subway lines – just steps from the 50th Street Station servicing the 1, C, E trains.
– Near bus routes including the M104, M5, M7, M20 going uptown/downtown.
– Accessible by yellow taxis, ride shares, and CitiBike stations.
– Parking garages available in the area if driving, but public transit is easiest for most.
Nearby restaurants for pre-show dining
You’ll want to arrive early to see Hadestown, so grab a bite at one of these spots close to the theater:
Virgil’s Real Barbecue | Popular BBQ joint known for ribs, brisket, cocktails |
Hurley’s Irish Pub | Lively Irish sports bar with classic pub fare |
Joe Allen | Theater district staple for steak, seafood, burgers |
Planet Hollywood | Theme chain with Hollywood movie memorabilia |
Carve Unique Pizza | Custom personal pizzas baked creatively |
There are also plenty of bars and quick bites like pizza, falafel, baked goods in the neighborhood. Restaurant Row on 46th/8th has upscale options.
Things to do after the show
After the moving musical experience of Hadestown, enjoy NYC’s exciting nightlife nearby:
– Catch another Broadway show – the theater district has dozens within walking distance
– Go comedy clubbing – Carolines, Comedy Cellar, and Gotham Comedy Club are all close
– Sing karaoke in Koreatown on 32nd Street
– See live jazz at clubs like the Rum House or Iridium
– Grab a fancy cocktail at sophisticated hotel bars like the Algonquin’s Blue Bar
– Take a late night stroll through iconic Times Square to see the neon lights
– Grab cheesecake, Magnolia Bakery’s cupcakes or levain cookies to satisfy sweet cravings
With its prime Midtown location, there are endless options for extending the night around the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Conclusion
Hadestown at the Walter Kerr Theatre is a must-see Broadway show for fans of original musical storytelling and spectacular staging. This Tony-winning Greek mythology-inspired production has captivated audiences with its folk-infused score and high-energy performances since opening in 2019. Experiencing Hadestown live immerses you in the atmosphere of the show’s post-apocalyptic world. While securing tickets requires planning, the effort is well rewarded. The Walter Kerr provides an intimate, state-of-the-art setting to appreciate every detail of this thrilling production. With its rich history hosting memorable shows and convenient location in Midtown Manhattan near dining and entertainment, the Walter Kerr Theatre is the perfect venue for Hadestown’s spellbinding Broadway run.