Take a look at Lillias White’s first performance as Hermes in Hadestown on Broadway

Broadway News

See Lillias White’s Broadway Debut as Hermes Hadesville

The Tony winner, who began performances on September 13, is the first female actor to play the role created by André De Shields.

Life tony winner Lillias White took on the role of Hermes in Broadway’s Hadesville September 13 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Broadway’s Favorite Original Actor Made It Happen T. Oliver Reid, which had followed André De Shields in the role of Hermès, the role he created with Tony-winning effect. White is the first female actor to play the role.

In the video above, watch White make his first entrance to a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Dressed in a newly redesigned 1950s-inspired costume, White then performed her opening number filled with her signature vocal tracks.

“I’m always thrilled to attend a Broadway opening, and see Hadesville Opening night in 2019 was a magical and unforgettable experience. Everything there was full of life. I sat behind Rachel Chavkin’s dad, who was overflowing with pride, and got to meet Rachel who was giving birth to a phenomenal show while carrying new life in her womb,” White said in an earlier statement. Beauty , love and promise, and I was moved to tears by my good friend, Dr André De Shields, and the whole company. I am delighted and honored to take on the role of Hermès and to be part of this beautiful production.”

“I am delighted that Lillias is stepping into this role. She is a total legend, has a smashing voice and will bring a grace and warmth to the role that is uniquely her own. Hadesville is a myth, and so we always felt that these characters could adapt to whoever plays them and take on new life and meaning with each new actor/spirit,” director Rachel Chavkin added. “I’m so proud to welcome a woman for the first time in the emblematic role of Hermès, our storyteller and guide. Like the Greek gods themselves, our actors change shape, size, color, tone, mood and doesn’t it makes the world more pleasant.”

Due to prior commitments, White will not perform in the Tony-winning musical from November 2-4, November 10-13 and November 17-20.

White was last seen on Broadway as Matron “Mama” Morton in the revival of Chicago. His additional Broadway credits include Life, Fela!, dream girls, Cats, Once on this islandand How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

The current Broadway cast is led by Jewelle Blackman as Persephone, Grammy winner Reeve Carney as Orpheus, Tony nominee Tom Hewitt as Hades and two-time Tony nominee Eva Noblezada as Eurydice. They are joined by Soara-Joye Ross, Jessie Shelton and Kay Trinidad as Fates. The Workers chorus is performed by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Alex Puette, Trent Saunders and Grace Yoo. The cast includes swingers Sojourner Brown, Tara Jackson, Sayo Oni, Yael “YaYa” Reich and Davis Wayne

The folk and jazz music of singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell superimposes the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with that of Hades and Persephone, interweaving the actions and consequences of gods and mortals. Hadesville originally started as a theatrical concert performed by Mitchell.

The creative team includes Tony-winning set designer Rachel Hauck, Tony-nominated costume designer Michael Krass, Tony-winning lighting designer Bradley King, Tony-winning sound designers Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, choreographer David Neumann and playwright Ken Cerniglia. Musical supervision and vocal arrangements are by Liam Robinson, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tony winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose.

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