Rachel Chavkin staged it as if the whole thing were happening in a bar after hours, with a seven-piece band ringed around the singers and a trombone that carries as much of the storytelling as the lyrics do. Wait for the Wall to fall and the turntable to descend into the underworld and you will understand why it took eight Tonys. If you want the most beautiful-sounding show on Broadway rather than the loudest, come here.
What to expect
A sung-through folk and jazz score performed with the band visible and integrated into the staging, moving from a warm bar into an industrial underworld. Expect a slow-burning first act, a spectacular descent at the interval, and an ending the narrator warns you about in advance.
Good to know
- The Walter Kerr is on West 48th Street; the C or E to 50th Street and the N, R or W to 49th Street are closest.
- It is one of the most acoustically satisfying rooms on Broadway; mid-orchestra is ideal.
- The score is folk, blues and New Orleans jazz rather than conventional show tunes.
- It suits teenagers and adults; the myth's ending is tragic and stated up front.
- A digital lottery releases a small block of discounted seats for most performances.
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Common questions
Do I need to know the Greek myth?
No. The narrator, Hermes, explains the story at the start and reminds the audience where it is heading, which is part of the show's design.
Is the band onstage?
Yes. The musicians are arranged on the set around the performers and are part of the staging rather than hidden in a pit.
How many Tonys did it win?
Eight at the 2019 ceremony, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for Rachel Chavkin and Best Original Score for Anais Mitchell.
More this weekend
