Grammy Award winner Ani DiFranco, known for her Folk Rock hits, will make her first Broadway appearance in the Tony Award-winning musical "Hadestown." The artist will play the role of "Persephone," beginning her performances on February 9 of next year.
DiFranco's connection with the famous Greek-myth musical began in 2010 when the artist invited the Tony-winning composer and lyricist of "Hadestown," Anaïs Mitchell, to release the original studio album of the production under her label, Righteous Babe Records. In the recording, DiFranco had already sung as "Persephone."
"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," the Folk Rock artist said in a statement.
"I can't really overstate the influence of Ani's music and example on me as a young songwriter," Mitchell added before continuing to sing the praises of DiFranco, calling her "poetic, bold, radically emotive, and fun."
What is Ani DiFranco Known For?
For Mitchell, DiFranco has simply been a "mythic figure," expressing her gratefulness for the "beautiful full circle" that is DiFranco taking up the mantle of Persephone in the Broadway Musical.
Indeed, DiFranco has made her rounds within the music industry, being dubbed the "Little Folksinger" and creating her label back in 1990. In the span of her entire career, DiFranco has been nominated in the Grammy Awards a total of nine times, finally winning Best Recording Package with her song "Evolve" in 2004.
Among the artist's achievements, she also has been the recipient of the Woody Guthrie Award and the Women of Courage Award, given by the National Organization for Women. She was also honored by the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards as the Female Artist of the Year.
Although she is primarily known for her contributions to Folk and Rock music, DiFranco has also explored punk, funk, hip-hop, jazz, soul, and even the deep-cut genre of electronica. Her most recent albums include 2021's "Revolutionary Love" and the 25th-anniversary 2023 reissue of her iconic "Little Plastic Castle."
DiFranco will take over Betty Who's role as "Persephone" in "Hadestown," alongside fellow headliners Jordan Fisher who plays "Orpheus", Lillias White as "Hermes," Phillip Boykin as "Hades," and Solea Pfeiffer as "Eurydice," while the "Three Fates" are played by Lindsey Hailes, Belén Moyano, and Brit West.
