AceShowbiz - Gaby Moreno fulfilled a dream nearly three decades in the making when she made her Broadway debut as Persephone in the acclaimed musical Hadestown on March 3. The Guatemalan singer-songwriter, who has earned a Grammy and two Latin Grammys, stepped onto the stage as part of a star-studded cast that includes Joshua Colley (Orpheus), Jordan Tyson (Eurydice), Gary Dourdan (Hades), and J. Harrison Ghee (Hermes), performing through the end of August.

Hadestown, which won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, originally premiered on Broadway in spring 2019, three years after its off-Broadway debut. The musical reinterprets the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a setting inspired by the Great Depression and New Orleans, blending folk, blues, and jazz to explore themes of love, hope, and hardship.

Moreno first dreamed of performing on Broadway at age 13 after attending productions of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera during a family trip to New York City. “It would be a dream to do musical theater and one day be on Broadway,” she recalled telling Billboard Español.

Before her breakthrough role in Hadestown, Moreno had some experience with theater as a child and later studied Shakespearean theater in Los Angeles. In 2007, she appeared in a small production of the musical Hair in Hollywood as part of the ensemble, performing in front of just 100 people. That was her only musical theater experience until her recent Broadway debut.

The opportunity to join Hadestown came unexpectedly. About a year prior to her debut, Moreno’s manager received an email inquiring about her availability to play Persephone on Broadway. Initially skeptical, Moreno thought it was a joke but eagerly accepted the challenge once it became real. “I thought, ‘OK, I can sing those songs, but how did they know whether or not I could act?’ It was a true leap of faith,” she said.

Moreno had seen Hadestown on Broadway in 2023 before being cast and quickly became enamored with the show. Once cast, she immersed herself in the music, listening to the soundtrack repeatedly and studying the script before moving to New York in January to begin rehearsals.

The role of Persephone is pivotal in the musical’s narrative. As the goddess of spring and wife of the underworld ruler Hades, Persephone symbolizes hope and renewal, acting as a bridge between the mortal world and the grim underworld. Her presence brings light and joy amid hardship.

Moreno described her debut night on Broadway as magical and deeply emotional. She was thrilled to share the moment with family members who flew in from Guatemala, including her mother, sister, brother-in-law, and niece, who is also studying musical theater in Mexico City. “It was truly a night I’ll never forget,” she said.

Musically, Moreno felt right at home. The score’s blend of blues, folk, and jazz aligns closely with her own artistic style. The music, written by Anaïs Mitchell, a noted songwriter in the folk and Americana genres, fit Moreno’s voice and sensibilities perfectly.

However, the physical demands of the show presented a challenge. Unlike her usual concert performances where she stands mostly still with a guitar, Hadestown required Moreno to sing, dance, and move energetically on stage. “Dancing and singing at the same time was definitely a challenge,” she admitted.

Moreno expressed pride and responsibility in representing immigrants and Latinos on Broadway. “It’s a very, very big responsibility to know that I’m playing this role as a Guatemalan, as a Latina,” she said. Growing up, she rarely saw artists who reflected her culture in Broadway productions, making her presence on stage especially meaningful. She emphasized the importance of continued diversity and cultural recognition in the arts, particularly at a time of division and hate.

Gaby Moreno’s journey from a young girl inspired by Broadway musicals to a celebrated artist performing a key role in an award-winning production is a testament to her talent and perseverance. Her debut as Persephone in Hadestown marks not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for Latin representation in theater.