Podcast Summary: All Of It – Hadestown's New Cast, Live In The Greene Space

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Alison Stewart
Date: October 30, 2025
Episode Theme:
A vibrant, music-filled exploration of Broadway's Hadestown, featuring debut performances and in-depth conversations with the new all-principals cast, musical director, and band—broadcast live from WNYC’s The Greene Space. The episode highlights the show's evolution, cast experiences, and the creative synergy between jazz, opera, and musical theatre.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode celebrates Hadestown’s brand-new cast, performing and discussing the iconic Tony Award-winning musical. Host Alison Stewart brings listeners into a live studio setting to experience performances, candid discussions about stepping into legendary roles, and insights into musical adaptation, collaboration, and the emotional core of the show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live Performances & Musical Introductions

[03:02–14:00]

• Opening Performance: "Road to Hell"
  The show opens with Kurt Elling (Hermes) and the band performing "Road to Hell," setting the mythic, soulful tone.
• Introduction of the principal cast:
  • Paulo Szot (Hades)
  • Rebecca Naomi Jones (Persephone)
  • Morgan Dudley (Eurydice)
  • Jack Wolfe (Orpheus)
  • Musical Director: Liam Robinson

Notable Quote:

“Once upon a time there was a railroad line. Don't ask where, brother, don't ask. It was the road to hell.”—Kurt Elling (Hermes) [03:02]

2. Jazz Roots Meet Broadway: Kurt Elling as Hermes

[08:13–14:46]

• Kurt Elling discusses his Broadway debut:
  Elling shares the challenge and excitement of pivoting from his Grammy-winning jazz career to theater, especially adapting to the musical’s vocal demands.
• On adapting his singing style for Hermes:

  "I have to sing higher than I would like...It's not the kind of blowing space that I'm used to, but that's not really important." [09:07]

• On the meta-narrative of Hermes:

  “It's such a meta role. There are so many layers of consciousness that I get to try to inhabit. I get to tell the story to the audience…sometimes I'm sort of trying to maneuver things [...] and then, of course, there's my own consciousness as a person telling this story to this audience on this day.” [11:28]

• No advice from previous Hermeses:

  “I did ask around, and I did solicit advice, and I didn't get any back.” [13:06]

3. Musical Direction & Band Chemistry

[09:54–11:22]

• Liam Robinson introduces the band and talks about arranging:
  Reflects on working with musicians since the show’s early off-Broadway days and the honor of arranging Anaïs Mitchell’s music for voices:

  "I arranged for the voices in this show...one of my great pleasures is arranging for the many beautiful voices that come through our building." [10:08]

4. Character Deep Dives: Orpheus & Eurydice

[18:00–21:16]

• Morgan Dudley discusses Eurydice’s motivations:

  “The whole point of her running away is just kind of moving around to survive...When she meets Orpheus, it's the first time that she's realized that she's missing something in her soul.” [18:22]

• Jack Wolfe on playing an unlikely hero:

  “…Orpheus being just a sort of everyman…He’s like a vessel to something that’s much bigger than him…when this sort of poetry comes to him, it isn’t necessarily something that he’s very confident in sharing, but it’s…something that he feels like he should.” [19:04]

• “Wedding Song” performance underscores the cosmic connection of the leads.

5. From Listener to Star: Cast Members’ First Encounter with Hadestown

[21:16–22:49]

• Morgan Dudley recounts seeing the musical and becoming obsessed:

  “Hadestown was one of the first shows that I bought tickets for myself to see. And I was absolutely obsessed...” [21:31]

• Jack Wolfe details his admiration for Anaïs Mitchell and the tradition of musicians involved with the show.

6. Transatlantic Perspectives: West End vs. Broadway

[22:49–23:25]

• Jack Wolfe contrasts New York's audience energy with London’s, noting:

  “In London, you never really know if they're on your side until the end, whereas here, it feels like a real sort of family thing.” [22:49]

7. Approaching Iconic Roles: Process & Self-Trust

[23:25–25:42]

• Morgan Dudley on “inheriting” a role:

  “I like to try and, like, meditate and clear my mind of whatever preconceived notion…just try to really live the text and the language and the words." [23:38]

• Jack Wolfe’s reflection on creating a fresh take amid potential imposter syndrome:

  “…learning to be confident in your portrayal of something is definitely a journey.” [25:27]

8. Explaining the Songs: Context and Emotion

[26:03–26:55]

• “Epic” set up as Orpheus’s first real test of sharing his poetic gift.

  “It's like the first time that you're put on the spot to use Orpheus's gifts…” —Morgan Dudley [26:16]

9. Hades & Persephone: Duets and Dynamics

[32:09–42:02]

• Performance of “Hey, Little Songbird” by Paulo Szot and Morgan Dudley.
• Paulo Szot on Hades’ motives:

  “He sees on the edge of suffering in her own life and decides to get there and to…give her a little push.” [35:59]

• Rebecca Naomi Jones on Persephone:

  “I think Persephone loves Hades, but she lives in the natural world and she lives for the natural world…when she sees what Hades has created…more construction and artificial light…it feels to her like an assault of the natural world.” [36:56]

• On balancing opera and Broadway:
  Paulo Szot says the big difference is, “eight shows a week…that was the biggest challenge for me when I first had my first musical.” [38:33]

10. Text, Verse, and Theatrical Choices

[39:52–40:55]

• Rebecca Naomi Jones on the layered, poetic writing:

  “Text is exciting and I think there's always more to be harvested than we think at first glance…Anaïs did a beautiful job layering a lot of information into these songs.” [39:52]

• On playing Persephone: “I do like to go big and get weird...I get to, like, shake myself and try to box the demons away.” [40:51]

11. Personal Connections to Roles

[42:02–43:38]

• Paulo Szot:

  “When I first saw the musical, I was in love with the music. You know, I left the show thinking the music is the star of this show.” [42:09]

• Rebecca Naomi Jones on why Persephone:

  “I really love being a part of something that is about trying to have hope and trying to connect with each other amidst chaos in the world.” [43:38]

12. Final Performance: Persephone's Rebellion

[44:19–50:08]

• Setup and performance of Persephone’s Act 2 opener:

  “It’s kind of like her rebellious moment…she’s kind of just splattering [her darkness] all over the place.” —Rebecca Naomi Jones [44:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kurt Elling (Hermes):
  “I've been 30 years on the road as a jazz musician...and now I get to have this adventure.” [08:29]

• Morgan Dudley (Eurydice):
  “When she meets Orpheus, it's the first time that she's realized she's missing something in her soul.” [18:22]

• Jack Wolfe (Orpheus):
  “He’s like a vessel to something that's much bigger than him...” [19:04]

• Rebecca Naomi Jones (Persephone):
  “I do like to go big and get weird...a full exorcism on stage.” [40:51]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & Cast Welcome: [01:09-03:02]
• "Road to Hell" Live Performance: [03:02–08:13]
• Kurt Elling on Adapting to Theater: [08:13–09:52]
• Musical Direction, Band Intro: [09:54–11:22]
• On Playing Hermes: [11:28–14:46]
• "Wedding Song" Live Performance: [15:44–18:00]
• Exploration of Orpheus & Eurydice: [18:00–21:16]
• First Encounters with Hadestown: [21:16-22:49]
• London vs NY Audiences: [22:49–23:25]
• Stepping Into Iconic Roles: [23:25–25:42]
• Setting Up “Epic”: [26:03–26:55]
• "Epic" Performance: [27:10–30:38]
• Hades & Persephone Songbird Duet: [32:09–35:31]
• Insight on Persephone & Marriage With Hades: [35:59–38:15]
• Opera vs. Broadway Vibe: [38:15–39:42]
• Character Choices & Motivation: [39:52–43:38]
• Setting Up Act 2 Opener & Performance: [44:19–50:08]
• Final Thank Yous and Band Acknowledgment: [50:43–51:10]

Conclusion

This special All Of It episode is a rich, layered hour that bridges classic myth, musical innovation, and fresh theatrical perspectives—all brought to life by the new Hadestown cast. The audience is treated to live renditions of signature songs, personal anecdotes about the demands and rewards of the roles, and an infectious sense of ensemble camaraderie. Both long-time fans and newcomers to Hadestown will find the episode a rewarding behind-the-scenes tour of the show’s heart and artistry.