Allison Russell Next Up as Persephone in Broadway’s ‘Hadestown’

News broke this morning about the next big roots music name to make an appearance in the Broadway production of Hadestown. Singer-songwriter Allison Russell will reportedly enter the role of Persephone beginning November 12.

The role has played host to a string of beloved singer-songwriters over the past year or so. After pop star Betty Who took her last bow in the role in 2023, Ani DiFranco stepped up as “Our Lady of the Underground” from February through June of this year. DiFranco originally sang the role on the Hadestown album and was particularly entrancing on the Walter Kerr stage, in her Broadway debut. (In case you missed it, also on that 2010 album: Greg Brown as Hades, Justin Vernon as Orpheus, and the show’s writer/creator Anais Mitchell as Eurydice.)

After DiFranco came English country singer Yola, whose run is ongoing through October 20. Filling the hole between the two roots music faves is longtime cast member Lana Gordon, who first appeared as Persephone in 2021.

Hadestown is a post-apocalyptic, sung-through folk musical that retells – and in many ways, reimagines – the myth of Hades and Persephone alongside that of Orpheus and Eurydice. Mitchell’s incredible achievement earned her Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, not to mention the numerous other awards the show took home in 2019. Hadestown began as a community theater project and then Mitchell took it on the road, enlisting the help of musician friends at her various club dates. It then enjoyed a successful run downtown at the New York Theater Workshop before cementing its place as the longest running show in the history of the Walter Kerr Theater.

The ongoing parade of singer-songwriters making their Broadway debut with Hadestown is a welcome continuation of the folk community vibe that gave the show its start. Considering the “we’re gonna sing it again and again” refrain in the score, the rotating door of folkies drives home its themes that much more.

In a post on Instagram, Russell noted:

Impossible for me to fully convey how deeply meaningful, resonant, uplifting, full circle and THRILLING it is to be making my Broadway debut, starring in the role of Persephone … in this generational masterpiece and my favorite musical.

Mitchell also enthused:

Alli is a deep old friend I’ve admired forever.  … Thrilled to walk the earth [the] same time as her and especially to have our creative lives cross paths again in this extraordinary way via @hadestown on Broadway! I love you Alli and I canNOT wait!!!

No doubt they aren’t the only ones.