Grammy Winner Allison Russell Will Make Broadway Debut in “Hadestown”: 'Grateful Beyond Measure'
The singer-songwriter joins the cast of the Tony-winning production as Persephone
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Allison Russell on Feb. 4, 2024Allison Russell is headed to Hadestown!
The Grammy-winning musician — who recently opened for Hozier’s Unreal Unearth Tour — is set to make her Broadway debut as Persephone in Ana?s Mitchell's Tony Award-winning best musical, producers announced on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Russell will make her debut later this year on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City alongside Jordan Fisher as Orpheus and Stephanie Mills as Hermes.
Russell also shared the exciting news in an Instagram post — and revealed why stepping into the role of the Greek goddess in the critically acclaimed production will be such a “full circle” moment.
“And now it can be told… I first heard @anaismitchell sing ‘Why We Build The Wall’ in 2008 at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, CA. She was opening the show at a concert series called ‘Sings Like Hell’ (really) for my partner’s band JT & The Clouds,” she wrote. “I was transfixed.”
Courtesy of Hadestown
Allison Russell as Persephone in 'Hadestown'“When Ana?s told me later that night that she was working on a ‘folk opera’ based on the myth of Orpheus & Eurydice all my hairs stood on end,” Russell continued, adding that she “had a premonition that it would be become a piece that would outlive us all…”
The Outside Child artist went on to say that it “has been a keen and continuous joy to have a front row seat to the evolution of this great opus,” and noted that Mitchell “has been and is a lodestar artist, writer and friend to me since that night in 2008…”
Related: Maia Reficco Says Role in Broadway's Hadestown Has Taught Her 'the Power Love Can Hold' (Exclusive)
She continued, “Impossible for me to fully convey how deeply meaningful, resonant, uplifting, full circle and THRILLING it is to be making my Broadway debut, starring in the role of Persephone (a Goddess and archetype I have explored in both poetry and song myself since childhood) in this generational masterpiece and my favourite musical."
“I am proud to be joining the sisterhood of artists who’ve embodied Persephone, proud to be joining this extraordinary ensemble, proud to become a part of this living, growing legacy,” Russell concluded. “This is a World I’ve dreamt of and one I get to live in now. I am excited and grateful beyond measure to be joining @hadestown ! See you way down under the ground!”
Yola, who currently stars as Persephone, will have her final performance on Sunday, Oct. 20, and production alum Lana Gordon will step back into the role from Oct. 22 through Nov. 10.
Catherine Powell/Getty
Allison Russell performing in January 2024Hadestown is based on the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, two lovers who face a challenge when Eurydice is trapped in the underworld by Hades (currently portrayed by Phillip Boykin).
Alongside Fisher, Mills and Boykin, Hadestown also stars Maia Reficco as Eurydice, as well as Belen Moyano, Jessie Shelton and Brit West as the Fates.
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Tickets for Hadestown at the Walter Kerr Theatre are now on sale.
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