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Hadestown Grammy
Hadestown Grammy

Hadestown Wins Grammy for “Best Musical Theater Album”

On January 26, 2020, the best and brightest of the music industry were celebrated at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. The Broadway community is always on the edge of its seat to learn which recording will be celebrated in the “Best Musical Theater Album” category. This year’s prize went to the Broadway cast recording of Hadestown. The award was bestowed upon composer-lyricist composer Anaïs Mitchell, original cast members Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada, and Patrick Page, and producers Mara Isaacs, David Lai, and Todd Sickafoose.

In an unaired portion of the ceremony that occurred prior to the CBS telecast, Mitchell accepted the award on behalf of all the winners. Mitchell, who wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Hadestown, holds the distinction of being the first woman in over a decade to handle all three of these creative duties in a Broadway musical.

Also nominated in the “Best Musical Theater Album” category were Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge! – The Musical, and the recent revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!.

Winner of eight Tony Awards last June, including Best Musical, Best Original Score (Mitchell), and Best Director – Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown puts an original spin on Greek Mythology, taking audiences into the Underworld to tell the age-old tales of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hades and Persephone, will Tony-winner Andre De Shields serving as the narrator/guide Hermes. Currently ensconced at Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre, Hadestown is playing to sold-out crowds. A national tour is scheduled to commence in the fall of 2020.

Also of note at the Grammy ceremony was Broadway’s favorite Sara Bareilles, who composed the score for the Broadway hit Waitress, snagging her first trophy. Bareilles was honored in the “Best American Roots Performance” category for her song “Saint Honesty” from her new album Amidst the Chaos.

Mark Robinson is the author of the two-volume encyclopedia The World of Musicals, The Disney Song Encyclopedia, and The Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs. His latest book, Sitcommentary: The Television Comedies That Changed America, released on October 15. He maintains a theater and entertainment blog at markrobinsonwrites.com.

Learn More About Hadestown