Hadestown at CIBC Theatre

This May, CIBC Theatre in Chicago will present the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological story 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 Tuesday 6th May 2025 showing start at $83 per seat.

History

Hadestown debuted in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Years later, the writer, Anaïs Mitchell, developed the broadway musical, which she said was inspired by Les Misérables. After revamping it, it eventually made its debut off-Broadway in 2016. 

The musical 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. It started a North American tour beginning in 2021. Hadestown may have been an underdog at the time when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has developed into a highly respected and admired musical for many fans.

Synopsis

The Greek mythology adaptation of the Hadestown musical opens by introducing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus asks Eurydice to marry him, but she is unsure because both of them live in poverty. Eventually, they fall in love. 

Hades and Persephone enter the story when Hades visits the surface to take Persephone back to the Underworld against her wishes. During this time, Eurydice hears about working in the Underworld 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 appreciate working in the Underworld before finding Eurydice. She chooses to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus discovers what happened, he promises to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he arrives in the Underworld, Eurydice figures out working in the Underworld is not the enjoyable experience Hades made it seem to be. Orpheus and Eurydice talk to Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and allowing her return to the surface. The subsequent decision and journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Awards

Critics offer high praise of Hadestown. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a furnace-like blast of creativity,” while Forbes said it’s “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. At the 2020 Grammy Awards, Hadestown won an award for the Best Musical Theater Album. This album features the Broadway cast recording of the production’s songs. Some attendees see the show after buying the album, while others experience the music for the first time when attending a performance.