The Importance of Trust – Hadestown

Jan 24, 2026 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Two Sues On The Aisle – Sue Weston and Susan Rosenbluth 

Hadestown, winner of 8 Tony Awards in 2019, including Best Musical, Best Score (Anaïs Mitchell), and Best Direction (Rachel Chavkin) tells a powerful story, weaving together the Greek myths of Hades and Persephone, with Orpheus and Eurydice. Set in New Orleans (with a seven-piece onstage orchestra with a magnificent trombonist), Hadestown’s jazz-infused music explores the consequences of choices, reminding us not to fall victim to doubt and jealousy.

While Greek tragedies leave us questioning humanity’s ability to rise above greed and insecurity, Hadestown suggests good can overcome evil. It suggests the power of love to mend differences, allowing spring to return.

Connection To Greek Mythology

Hades (Paulo Szot), ruler of the Underworld, governs the souls of the dead and prevents anyone from leaving. When Hades is looking for a Queen, he sees Persephone (performed by Understudy Tara Jackson in the performance we attended) collecting flowers. He brings her to the underworld, which causes winter to come. They fall in love, and their lyrical song has magical powers. Hades allows Persephone to return to the surface for part of a year. He misses her, and struggles to control his jealousy. He comes for her earlier than agreed, bringing winter early. The cold winter symbolizing the hardship faced by the living is intensified by the actions of the three Fates.

Orpheus (Jack Wolfe), the son of a Muse, is a naïve musician who falls in love and marries Eurydice (Morgan Dudley). He believes that the magical power of the song he is writing can bring the Spring, but he is distracted, and Eurydice is taken by Hades. Orpheus descends to Hadestown to bring Eurydice back. Using the power of song, he rekindles the love between Hades and Persephone. As a result, Orpheus is granted permission to bring Eurydice back but under one condition. She has to walk behind, and he must not look back at her until they reach the surface, the world of the living.

The Magic of Music

Hermes (Kurt Elling) does a superb job as the narrator, providing introductions and context, complete with feathers protruding from his jacket sleeves. But the power of Hadestown is its ability to use music to create a connection. Orpheus’s songs are a prophecy of a world transformed by love rather than fear and greed, an ideal world that contrasts with the harsh reality of the industrial underworld.

The songs are a reminder of the inevitable, cyclical nature of the story, prophesying that the tragedy will be repeated, but there is always hope of a different outcome.

“Livin’ It Up on Top” has a strong beat, train whistle about the hard life faced by those living on top, contrasted with the number “Way Down Hadestown”, a foot-stomping jazzed-up number describing life in Hadestown, and how the dead are chained to a machine that goes nowhere, where you forget your past.

One unforgettable scene is when the souls led by Hades sing “Why We Build the Wall.” Sung in a question-answer style, explaining that they built the wall to keep them free from the enemy, which is poverty. They are taught to see work as desirable, even though it is endless and accomplishes nothing.

Hadestown contrasts the world we dream of and the one we live in, and the tradeoff between freedom and security. Eurydice sells her soul for physical comfort, only to find herself trapped in an endless cycle of despair, losing herself. Orpheus writes a song that charms Hades, reminding him of the power of love. It shows it may be possible to break the cycle.

Breaking the Cycle

Hadestown merges the fantasy of mythology with the flaws of humanity. Showing how fate can create doubt and division, but reminds us how hope and trust can set us free. Orpheus is positioned to lead the way out to Hadestown, cautioned that this condition is a test of his strength. Hermes reminds Orpheus to trust what he knows to be right and not allow doubt to enter his thoughts. But it is easier said than done, especially with the fates whispering doubt in his ears.

The entire performance was amazing. The current cast was superb. This family-friendly musical will change the way you think of mythology while introducing classic Greek tragedies to a modern audience.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Hadestown – Received a 4 Challah rating

Walter Kerr Theatre – 219 W 48th St (Between Broadway and 8th Ave

Running Time – 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission