Screenshot of Lillias White in a video the official ‘Hadestown’ Twitter account shared.
Missus Hermes has arrived! The god of speed is now being portrayed by the first female-identifying actress on Broadway. Lillias White stepped into the role originated by André De Shields (who won a Tony Award for his performance) last night, on Tuesday, September 13, at the Walter Kerr Theater.
Missus Hermes, that's her. Lillias White's first entrance as Hermes is a moment we will never forget. pic.twitter.com/0ie2IrU3bZ
— Hadestown (@hadestown) September 13, 2022
White is now appearing nightly as Hermes. Due to previous commitments, White will not perform in the Tony Award-winning musical November 2-4, November 10-13, and November 17-20.
The Tony Award-winning actress, in a statement when her casting was announced, had said “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. 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.”
In addition to White, the Broadway cast of Hadestown is led by Jewelle Blackman as Persephone, Grammy Award winner Reeve Carney as Orpheus, Tony Award nominee Patrick Page as Hades, and two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada as Eurydice. They are joined by Soara-Joye Ross, Jessie Shelton, and Kay Trinidad as the Fates.
The chorus of Workers is played by Emily Afton, Malcolm Armwood, Alex Puette, Trent Saunders, and Grace Yoo. The cast includes swings Tara Jackson, Max Kumangai, Sayo Oni, and Yael “YaYa” Reich.
White won the 1997 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her showstopping turn in Cy Coleman’s The Life and received another Tony nomination in 2010 for Fela!.
