Hadestown at Uihlein Hall

This spring, Uihlein Hall at Marcus Center For The Performing Arts in Milwaukee will present the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological tale follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives become interlaced with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Friday 6th March 2026 showing start at $105 per seat.

History

Hadestown first came to stage in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Several years afterward, the creator, Anaïs Mitchell, developed the broadway musical, after taking inspiration from Les Misérables. After adding more songs, 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 become the longest-running Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatreafter 4 years. Hadestown began a North American tour beginning in 2021. It was unknown when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has developed into a highly respected and popular musical for many fans.

Synopsis

The 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 despite their problems. 

Hades and Persephone enter the picture when Hades comes to the surface to take Persephone back to the Underworld. Eurydice hears about working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is frustrated arguing with Persephone about the benefits of the Underworld. In his desperation, Hades visits the surface to find someone who will learn to like working in the Underworld before meeting Eurydice. She decides to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her love of Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus discovers what happened, he vows to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he travels to 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 living world. The journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Recognitions

Fans offer constant praise of Hadestown. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a furnace-like blast of creativity,” while Forbes declared it “an epic celebration of music, togetherness, and hope.” It won Tony Awards in 8 different categories, 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. During the 2020 Grammy Awards, Hadestown won an award for the Best Musical Theater Album. This recording features the Broadway cast recording of the production’s songs. Some people see the show after hearing the album, while others hear the music for the first time when attending a performance.