Hadestown at Eccles Theater

Coming up in spring, George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City will host the critically acclaimed Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological narrative follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the challenges of love and poverty while their lives become interlaced with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Tuesday 24th March 2026 showing start at $98 per seat.

History

Hadestown debuted in 2006 with a regional performance. Years later, the creator, Anaïs Mitchell, developed the broadway musical, which she said was inspired by Les Misérables. After enhancing character backgrounds, it eventually made its debut off-Broadway in 2016. 

The musical 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 show at the Walter Kerr Theatreafter 4 years. It opened a North American tour beginning in 2021. Hadestown may have been an underdog at the time when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. Today it has developed into a highly respected and popular musical for many fans.

Story

The Greek mythology of the Hadestown musical opens by showcasing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus asks Eurydice to marry him, but she is hesitant because both of them live in poor conditions. Eventually, they fall in love despite their problems. 

Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone enter the musical when Hades comes to the surface to return Persephone back to the Underworld against her wishes. During this time, Eurydice becomes intrigued by working in the Underworld as a way out of poverty. Hades dislikes arguing with Persephone about the benefits of the Underworld. He decides to go to the world above to try to find someone who will learn to like working in the Underworld before discovering Eurydice. She chooses to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her love of Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus learns what happened, he promises to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he reaches the Underworld, Eurydice discovers working in the Underworld is not the rewarding experience Hades made it appear to be. Orpheus and Eurydice talk to Hades about releasing Eurydice from her contract and letting her return to the surface. The journey tests the love Orpheus and Eurydice have for each other.

Awards

Critics offer constant praise of Hadestown. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a furnace-like blast of creativity,” while Forbes said it’s “an epic celebration of music, togetherness, and hope.” It received 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 music 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 album features the Broadway cast recording of the musical’s songs. Some fans of the show see the show after buying the album, while others experience the music for the first time when attending a performance.