Grammy winner Allison Russell made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning musical Hadestown last month at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Known for her acclaimed Americana and roots
albums Outside Child and The Returner, Russell stepped
into the role of Persephone beginning November 12. The singer joined a cast that includes Tony winner Lillias White as
Hermes, Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Maia
Reficco as Eurydice.
Belen Moyano, Jessie Shelton, and Brit West are the Fates, while the chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Timothy H. Lee, Eddie Noel Rodriguez, and Grace Yoo. The company also includes swings Sojourner Brown, Brandon Cameron, KC Dela Cruz, Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, and Tanner Ray Wilson.
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Get a first look at Russell and the current Broadway cast of Hadestown in the photo gallery below.
Allison Russell and company of Hadestown
Phillip Boykin and Allison Russell in Hadestown
Allison Russell and company of Hadestown
Allison Russell in Hadestown
Allison Russell, Phillip Boykin, Jordan Fisher, and company of Hadestown
Allison Russell in Hadestown
Allison Russell in Hadestown
Allison Russell in Hadestown
Allison Russell in Hadestown
Allison Russell in Hadestown
In an earlier statement Russell said, 鈥淚 first heard Ana茂s Mitchell sing 'Why
We Build The Wall' in 2008 at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara,
California. She was opening the show at a concert series called Sings Like
Hell (really) for my partner鈥檚 band JT & The Clouds. I was
transfixed. When Ana茂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鈥擨 had a premonition that it would be become a work that
would outlive us all."
The Grammy winner continued, "Impossible for me to fully convey how
deeply meaningful, resonant, uplifting, and full circle 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 timeless instant classic. I am proud to be joining
the sisterhood of artists who鈥檝e embodied Persephone, proud to be
joining this extraordinary ensemble, proud to become a part of this
living, growing legacy. This is a world I鈥檝e 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!鈥�
Video: Maia Reficco on Adding a Bit of Spanish to Eurydice in Hadestown
Singer-songwriter Mitchell鈥檚 folk- and jazz-infused musical layers the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with that of Hades and Persephone, intertwining the actions鈥攁nd consequences鈥攐f gods and mortals. Hadestown originally began as a theatrical concert performed by Mitchell.
The creative team features Tony-winning set designer Rachel Hauck, Tony-nominated costume designer Michael Krass, Tony-winning lighting designer Bradley King, Tony-winning sound designers Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, choreographer David Neumann, and dramaturg Ken Cerniglia. Musical supervision and vocal arrangements are by Liam Robinson, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tony winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose.
Video: Jordan Fisher Cracks Open the Wall With 'Epic III' From Hadestown
The show, featuring a book and score by Mitchell, won eight 2019 Tony Awards: Best Director of a Musical (Rachel Chavkin), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Andr茅 De Shields), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Bradley King), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Rachel Hauck), Best Sound Design of a Musical (Jessica Paz and Nevin Steinberg), Best Orchestrations (Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose), Best Original Score (Mitchell), and Best Musical.
