Hadestown at Orpheum Theatre

Coming up in December, Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City will host the long running Broadway phenomenon Hadestown. This mythological narrative follows a couple, Orpheus and Eurydice as they navigate the trials of love and poverty while their lives cross the path of Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. Tickets for this Tuesday 16th December 2025 showing start at $270 per seat.

History

Hadestown originated in 2006 with a regional performance and a concept album. Several years afterward, the creator, Anaïs Mitchell, stuck with her idea, after taking inspiration from 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 Theatre by early 2023. Hadestown began a North American tour beginning in 2021. Hadestown may have been an unlikely success story when it opened off-Broadway in 2016. However, it has developed into a highly respected and popular musical for many fans.

Story

The mythology adaptation of the Hadestown musical opens by showcasing Orpheus and Eurydice. Orpheus proposed to Eurydice, but she is unsure because both of them live in poverty. Eventually, they fall in love despite their problems. 

Meanwhile, Hades and Persephone enter the musical when Hades visits the world above to take Persephone to the Underworld. During this time, Eurydice sees an opportunity working in the Underworld 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 appreciate working in the Underworld before meeting Eurydice. She chooses to join Hades in the Underworld, leaving her partner, Orpheus behind.

When Orpheus discovers about Eurydice's departure, he decides to travel to the Underworld to rescue Eurydice. By the time he reaches the Underworld, Eurydice realizes working in the Underworld is not the rewarding 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 surface. The subsequent decision and 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 said it’s “an epic celebration of music, togetherness, and hope.” It secured Tony Awards in 8 different categories, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Hadestown garnered 14 Tony Award nominations in all.

The creators 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 album features the Broadway cast recording of the musical’s songs. Some people see the show after purchasing the album, while others hear the music for the first time when attending a performance.