[Cover photo credit to Matthew Murphy]

Producers Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, and Tom Kirdahy have announced that Grammy Award-winning artist Ani DiFranco will make her Broadway debut as the character Persephone in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical, Hadestown, playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W 48th Street) beginning February 9, 2024.

DiFranco’s history with Hadestown began in 2010 when she invited Anaïs Mitchell to release the original studio album of Hadestown on DiFranco’s label, Righteous Babe Records. DiFranco originated the role of Persephone on the album, leaving her imprint on the character as the show evolved over several years.

DiFranco comments:

I could not be more thrilled to be joining the cast of Hadestown. It’s like I get to rewind to my New York youth and follow the road not taken.

Mitchell adds:

I can’t really overstate the influence of Ani’s music and example on me as a young songwriter. Poetic, bold, radically emotive and FUN, she simply has been a mythic figure in my life, and I can’t think of anything more beautifully full circle than Ani playing the role of ‘Persephone’ on Broadway. Grateful and awestruck.

Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is an early adopter of the DIY movement, being one of the first artists to create her own record label in 1990. Her music has embraced Punk, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul, Electronica and more. She has shared stages with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, Bon Iver, Brandi Carlile, Billy Bragg, Michael Franti, Chuck D., and many more. Her most recent albums include 2021’s Revolutionary Love and the June 2023 25th Anniversary Edition reissue of her album Little Plastic Castle, both on her own label Righteous Babe Records. 

Her memoir No Walls and the Recurring Dream was released in May 2019. Her debut children’s book The Knowing is out now. 

Hadestown currently stars Betty Who as Persephone (through February 4), Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, Tony Award winner Lillias White as Hermes, Phillip Boykin as Hades, and Solea Pfeiffer as Eurydice. They are joined by Lindsey Hailes, Belén Moyano, and Brit West as the Fates.

The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Chibueze Ihumoa, Alex Puette and Grace Yoo. The cast includes swings Sojourner Brown, Brandon Cameron, Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, Alex Lugo, and Tanner Ray Wilson.