‘Hadestown’ will come to Happy Valley for two nights, March 2–3

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Broadway returns to Happy Valley with the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards — including Best New Musical — and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. “Hadestown” will make its Penn State debut at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 2 and 3, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

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.

“Hadestown” was the most honored show of the 2018–19 Broadway season. In addition to the show’s eight Tony Awards, it was honored with four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Outstanding New Broadway Musical) and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.

Call 814-863-0255, or visit “Hadestown” online for more information about accessibility options and to purchase tickets.

Creative women making Broadway history

The acclaimed new musical is by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell and developed with original director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin. “Hadestown” marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the solo author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics and book. It’s the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat.

The show originated as Mitchell’s indie theater project that toured Vermont which she then turned into an acclaimed album. With Chavkin, her artistic collaborator, “Hadestown” has been transformed into a genre-defying new musical that blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale.

Accessibility accommodations

American Sign Language interpretation will be offered for the March 3 performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email or by phone at 814-863-2727, ext. 3, by Tuesday, Feb. 17, to discuss ASL seating preferences.

Audio description will be offered for the March 3 performance. Reservations are required and must be made by Tuesday, Feb. 17. Call the Sight Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania at 814-238-0132 to reserve the service.

Acknowledgments

The show is sponsored by Penn Highlands Healthcare: Penn Highlands State College. ASL (American Sign Language) support is provided by Shih-In Ma. Accessibility services are supported by Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment. A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes Penn State student prices possible.

Find us

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, a unit of the College of Arts and Architecture, aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity. For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.