Guatemalan Singer Fulfills Broadway Dream in Hadestown

Guatemalan artist Gaby Moreno achieved a lifelong ambition by making her Broadway debut as Persephone in the musical Hadestown on March 3. This role fulfills a dream she held since she was 13 years old, inspired by childhood visits to New York City theater productions. Moreno, a Grammy and two-time Latin Grammy winner, was surprisingly contacted about the role about a year prior and joined the cast without a traditional audition.

Hadestown, which reimagines the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, features Moreno alongside a star-studded cast until August. The musical, known for its blend of folk, blues, and jazz, explores themes of love, hope, and poverty in a post-apocalyptic setting. Moreno, who previously performed in a small musical production in 2007, found the music aligned with her own artistic style, though mastering the choreography presented a significant challenge.

Moreno sees her role as a significant representation for immigrants and Latin artists on Broadway. She notes the importance of diversity and the increasing recognition of cultural backgrounds within the arts. Beyond her Broadway engagement, Moreno is preparing to release a live album in April for Record Store Day and a tribute album to David Bowie later in the year.