According to Broadway.com, Merle Dandridge and Hailey Kilgore are set to reunite on Broadway as part of the cast of Hadestown. Beginning February 18, Dandridge will return to the role of Persephone, while Kilgore joins the production on January 14 as Eurydice, will complete this anticipated pairing. This marks the second time the two will share the Broadway stage, having previously performed together in the celebrated revival of Once on This Island.
The Journey Back to Hadestown
Merle Dandridge, widely recognized for her roles on HBO’s The Last of Us and OWN’s Greenleaf, is no stranger to Hadestown. She originated the role of Persephone in the show’s early iterations, including its 2019 Broadway debut, and has become synonymous with the fierce yet vulnerable Queen of the Underworld. This return marks another chapter in her already illustrious Broadway career, which includes credits in Rent, Aida, and Spamalot.
Hailey Kilgore, who earned a Tony nomination for her Broadway debut as Ti Moune in Once on This Island, is stepping back into the role of Eurydice, which she first played in Hadestown’s National Theatre production. Her return to the show alongside Dandridge creates a sense of full-circle artistry, reigniting the onstage chemistry that captured audiences in their previous collaboration.
New and Returning Stars
The updated cast of Hadestown promises to deliver a dynamic energy to the acclaimed production. Joining Dandridge and Kilgore is Tony Award nominee Daniel Breaker, who will take over the role of Hermes, succeeding Lillias White. Known for his standout performances in Shrek: The Musical and Passing Strange, Breaker is expected to bring his own unique flair to the witty and magnetic messenger of the gods.
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Carlos Valdes, recognized for his work on The Flash, will step into the role of Orpheus, while Tony nominee Tom Hewitt will portray the commanding Hades. With a cast that also features Shea Renee, Jessie Shelton, Brit West, and an ensemble of talented performers, the show’s fifth year on Broadway is shaping up to be as groundbreaking as its debut.
A Testament to Enduring Success
With music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell and direction by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown has become a modern classic, blending mythology and music in a way that resonates deeply with audiences. The addition of powerhouse performers like Dandridge and Kilgore means the production will continue to captivate theatergoers while introducing new dimensions to its characters.
The timing of these cast changes aligns with a limited-run reunion of the show’s original Broadway cast in London, as reported by Broadway.com, further underscoring the global appeal and enduring legacy of Hadestown.
Don’t miss your chance to see Dandridge and Kilgore shine together once more when Hadestown continues its run at the Walter Kerr Theatre this winter.
Cover photo: Merle Dandridge and Hailey Kilgore to Reunite on Broadway in Hadestown / Credit: Hadestown on Broadway
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