Hadestown at Bass Concert Hall

Coming up in winter, Bass Concert Hall in Austin will present the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological story follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives become intertwined with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Saturday 21st February 2026 showing start at $94 per seat.

History

Hadestown debuted in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Years later, the writer, Anaïs Mitchell, stuck with her idea, which she said was inspired by Les Misérables. After enhancing character backgrounds, it eventually opened off-Broadway in 2016. 

The show had successful runs in Canada and London in the next couple of years. It appeared on Broadway in 2019 and went on to set a record for the longest-running Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatreafter 4 years. It started a North American tour beginning in 2021. It was unknown when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has grown into a highly respected and beloved musical for many fans.

Synopsis

The Greek mythology adaptation of the Hadestown musical opens by introducing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus proposed to Eurydice, but she is hesitant because both of them live in poor conditions. Eventually, they become lovers despite their problems. 

Hades and Persephone enter the musical when Hades visits the surface to take Persephone to the Underworld against her wishes. During this time, Eurydice sees an opportunity working with Hades as a way out of poverty. Hades is frustrated arguing with Persephone about the charms of the Underworld. In his desperation, Hades visits the surface to find someone who will appreciate working in the Underworld before discovering Eurydice. She opts to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus learns what happened, he decides to travel to the Underworld to bring her back. By the time he reaches the Underworld, Eurydice discovers working in the Underworld is not the positive experience Hades made it seem to be. Orpheus and Eurydice meet with Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and letting her return to the living world. The journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice share.

Recognitions

Reviewers offer high 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 eight different categories, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Hadestown earned 14 Tony Award nominations in all.

The writers behind Hadestown used a blend of folk and jazz to tell the tale 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 fans of the show see the show after purchasing the album, while others experience the music for the first time when attending a performance.