Casting has been confirmed for the highly anticipated West End premiere of multi award-winning Hadestown which will open at the Lyric Theatre, London with performances from Saturday 10 February 2024.
Winner of 8 Tony® Awards including ‘Best Musical’ and a Grammy® Award for ‘Best Musical Theatre Album’, Hadestown returns to London five years after its sold-out run at the National Theatre in 2018.
Grace Hodgett Young is taking on the role of Eurydice. Despite being a recent Mountview graduate, Young is no stranger to the London stage. She is currently playing the role of Betty Schaefer in “Sunset Boulevard” at the Savoy Theatre where she received mass critical acclaim. But “Hadestown” marks a new chapter for Young as she steps into the shoes of Eurydice, the pivotal character in this retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth. With undeniable talent, audiences can expect Young to deliver a nuanced and emotionally resonant portrayal, adding depth to the production.
Donal Finn, a rising star with a diverse range of roles under his belt, takes on the challenging role of Orpheus. His journey into the underworld is not his first venture into the realm of fantasy, having played Mat in Amazon’s epic series “The Wheel of Time.” Finn’s ability to navigate complex narratives and embody characters with authenticity positions him as a perfect fit for the passionate and determined Orpheus.
Finn’s impressive resume also includes roles in high-profile productions such as “SAS: Rogue Heroes” (Eoin), “Cursed” (Kurt), and “The Witcher” (Netty). His experience in both stage and screen productions, coupled with his commitment to his craft, makes Finn a compelling choice to lead the cast of “Hadestown.”
As the West End eagerly anticipates the arrival of “Hadestown,” Grace Hodgett Young and Donal Finn stand at the forefront of a talented ensemble ready to enchant audiences with a tale of love, music, and the enduring power of the human spirit. With their combined experience and dedication, the stage is set for a truly unforgettable journey into the depths of the underworld.
Gloria Onitiru will be playing the role of Persephone. With an illustrious career spanning London’s West End, The National Theatre, and the UK’s leading regional theatres, Gloria Onitiri is a name synonymous with versatility and brilliance. On screen, her work in productions like “Coming Up,” “Bad Girls,” and “Resurrecting the Street Walker” has showcased her dynamic acting skills.
On the stage, Onitiri has taken on a multitude of roles, from Duchess Josiana in “The Grinning Man” at the Bristol Old Vic to Rachel Marron in “The Bodyguard” at the Adelphi Theatre. Her repertoire includes everything from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” to the iconic “The Lion King” at Lyceum Theatre. Onitiri originated the role of Fairy Godmother in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Princess Desiree in Upstart Crow at the Apollo Theatre and previously performed in Hadestown at the National Theatre. Now, she steps into the shoes of Persephone in “Hadestown,” bringing her rich experience and magnetic stage presence to this reimagined Greek myth.
Zachary James, a luminary in both Broadway and the opera world, brings his commanding presence to the role of Hades in “Hadestown.” Known for originating the role of Lurch in “The Addams Family” on Broadway, James has left an indelible mark with his operatic performances, including Abraham Lincoln in Philip Glass’ “The Perfect American.”
His extensive resume spans regional theatres, including memorable turns as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm in “A Little Night Music” and Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” With a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording under his belt for his work on Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten,” James is set to captivate West End audiences with his depth and range in the role of Hades.
Melanie La Barrie, currently gracing Broadway’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre in the musical “& Juliet” as Nurse, brings her boundless talent to the role of Hermes in “Hadestown.” La Barrie has showcased her versatility in productions like “Wicked” at Apollo Victoria Theatre and Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Her previous credits, including performances at The National Theatre and the Everyman Playhouse in Liverpool, underscore La Barrie’s prowess as a seasoned performer. Now, as Hermes, she will add her unique flair to the storytelling of “Hadestown,” guiding audiences through the underworld with her compelling narration.
In the mystical underworld of “Hadestown,” Madeline Charlemagne, Allie Daniel, and Bella Brown take on the significant roles of the Fates. With their collective prowess, they will intricately weave the threads of destiny, guiding the characters and the audience through the twists and turns of this captivating journey. The Fates, as portrayed by these three talented performers, will undoubtedly add an extra layer of magic to the already spellbinding narrative.
But the enchantment doesn’t end there. The ensemble cast expands further to include a group of stellar performers taking on various roles to enrich the Hadestown experience.
Lauren Azania, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Beth Hinton-Lever, Waylon Jacobs, and Christopher Short step into the shoes of the Workers, breathing life into the bustling world of Hadestown. Their collective energy and commitment are set to illuminate the stage, providing the backdrop against which the central narrative unfolds.
Adding to the versatility of the cast are Lucinda Buckley, Ryesha Higgs, Miriam Nyarko, and Simon Oskarsson, who will serve as Swings. Ready to seamlessly step into various roles, they contribute to the fluidity and dynamism of the production, ensuring that the magic of Hadestown remains uninterrupted.
Hadestown features music, lyrics, and book by acclaimed Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winner Anaïs Mitchell, who originatedHadestown as anindie theatre project and acclaimed album. Mitchell then transformed the show into a genre-defying new musical alongside artistic collaborator and Tony® Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin, whose theatre credits include Mission Drift (National Theatre) and American Clock (The Old Vic).
Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone. A deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience, Hadestown invites you to imagine how the world could be.
The Hadestown creative team features Obie Award® winner and Chita Rivera Award® winner David Neumann (choreography), Tony Award® winner Rachel Hauck (scenic design), four-time Tony® Award nominee Michael Krass (costume design), two-time Tony Award® winner Bradley King (lighting design), Tony® Award winners Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design), Liam Robinson (music supervision and vocal arrangements), Tony® Award winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations), and Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy). Casting for the London production is by Jacob Sparrow.
Hadestown is produced in London by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, Tom Kirdahy and the National Theatre in association with JAS Theatricals.
Hadestown opens at the Lyric Theatre on the 10th February. Tickets available here.
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