Lillias White Extends Run as Hermes in Broadway's Hadestown

The Life Tony winner Lillias White, who stepped into the role of Hermes in Broadway's Hadestown September 13, 2022, has extended her run at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The Broadway favorite, who had originally extended her limited engagement through June 4, will now continue through a final date to be announced.

This past fall, White succeeded original cast member T. Oliver Reid, who had followed André De Shields as Hermes, the role the latter created to Tony-winning effect. White is the first female-identifying actor to play the part.

"I am always thrilled to attend a Broadway opening, and seeing Hadestown opening night in 2019 was a magical and unforgettable experience. Everything about it was full of life. I sat behind Rachel Chavkin’s father, who was bursting with pride, and I got to meet Rachel who was giving birth to a phenomenal show while carrying new life in her belly," said White in a statement at that time. "Everything about that evening glowed with beauty and love and promise, and I was moved to tears by my most excellent friend Dr. André De Shields and the entire company. I am delighted and honored to step into the role of Hermes and be part of this beautiful production."

“I'm over the moon about Lillias stepping into this role. She's a total legend, has an earth-shattering voice, and will bring a grace and warmth to the role that is completely her own. Hadestown is a myth, and so we've always felt these characters can mold to whomever is playing them and take on new life and meaning with each new actor/spirit," added director Rachel Chavkin. "I'm so proud to welcome a woman for the first time into the iconic role of Hermes, our storyteller, and guide. Like the Greek gods themselves, our actors change shapes, size, color, tonality, vibe, and doesn't it make the world more delightful."

White was last seen on Broadway as Matron “Mama” Morton in the revival of Chicago. Her additional Broadway credits include The Life, Fela!, Dreamgirls, Cats, Once on This Island, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

The current Broadway cast is led by Grammy winner Reeve Carney as Orpheus, two-time Tony nominee Eva Noblezada as Eurydice, Jewelle Blackman as Persephone, and Tony nominee Tom Hewitt as Hades. They are joined by Amelia Cormack, Lindsey Hailes, and Brit West as the Fates with the chorus of Workers played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Sayo Oni, Alex Puette, and Grace Yoo. The company also includes swings Brandon Cameron, Max Kumangai, Yael “YaYa” Reich, and Allysa Shorte.

Singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s folk- and jazz-infused musical layers the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with that of Hades and Persephone, intertwining the actions—and consequences—of gods and mortals. Hadestown originally began as a theatrical concert performed by Mitchell.

The creative team features 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 dramaturg Ken Cerniglia. Musical supervision and vocal arrangements are by Liam Robinson, with arrangements and orchestrations by Tony winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose.