Seen by three million, streamed by over 350 million and adored by fans all around the world, singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s acclaimed West End and Broadway musical phenomenon Hadestown will make its Australian premiere at Sydney’s Theatre Royal in February 2025.
Presented by Opera Australia and JONES Theatrical Group, Hadestown won eight Tony Awards when it opened on Broadway in 2019, including Best Score and Best Director and is still playing to packed houses five years later.
Originating as Anaïs Mitchell’s indie theatre project, along with her artistic collaborator, Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown was transformed into a genre-defying musical that blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine the sweeping ancient tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. The hit musical also won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Jo Davies feels the time is right to introduce this dynamic production to Australians.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’re able to bring this incredible new musical to Australia for the first time, and I’m sure it will be as adored here has it has been overseas, finding a whole new legion of fans. Creator and writer Anaïs Mitchell is just such an amazing talent, I’m very much looking forward to working with her and her team to realise this production here.' said Ms Davies.
Suzanne Jones of JONES Theatrical Group said:
“Hadestown is one Broadway musical experience you remember forever. It is magical, bold, exciting and full of love and promise. It transports the audience in a way that only great theatre can. JONES Theatrical Group is extremely excited to be bringing this incredible production to Australia with OA and can’t wait for Australians to embrace it just as audiences all over the world have.”
Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.
Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience and invites you to imagine how the world could be.
Open call auditions for Hadestown roles will be held in Sydney on Saturday 15 June and in Melbourne on Sunday 16 June. For further information and to register interest, click here.
Hadestown is supported by the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
‘Achingly beautiful and boldly original. Flawless’ - Sunday Express
‘Sumptuous. Gorgeous. As good as it gets’ - The New York Times
‘Big, beautiful and emotionally blasting’ - Guardian UK
'Your next musical theatre obsession’ - Vogue
‘An epic celebration of music, togetherness and hope’ - Forbes
‘An affirmation of art’s transformative power’ - Rolling Stone
Hadestown
Theatre Royal Sydney
From February 2025
Music, Lyrics and Book by Anaïs Mitchell
Developed with and directed by Rachel Chavkin
Produced by Opera Australia and JONES Theatrical Group
For further information and to sign up to be the first to find out what is going down in Hadestown, including audition information, visit www.hadestown.com.au
Link to original London cast IMAGES by Marc Brenner and TRAILER here.