Jack Wolfe's Lifelong Dream Is Broadway's Good Fortune

Fans of Hadestown on Broadway are getting extremely well fed this fall. And no-one is more excited than No. 1 Hadestown fanboy Jack Wolfe—who happens to also be the show’s new leading man. 

“I’ve loved this show for so many years,” said Wolfe, speaking with Theatrely after his first week of rehearsals in New York. “There's so much lore attached to Hadestown for me, so many hopes and dreams to one day be a part of its legacy. But I never thought they would take me seriously.” 

Such bashful modesty is typical of the 29 year-old actor, whose sweetly, baby-faced exterior conceals a commanding presence and rich, powerful voice. Originally from West Yorkshire, England, Wolfe is best known for his menacing turn as Gabe in last year’s West End premiere of Next to Normal, which earned him an Olivier Award nomination.

Wolfe now takes on the role of Orpheus in Hadestown, part of a stellar new ensemble for the long-running Broadway hit. He is joined by Disney star Morgan Dudley as Eurydice, Broadway veteran Rebecca Naomi Jones as the goddess Persephone, Tony Award-winning South Pacific star Paulo Szot as the villainous Hades, and jazz icon Kurt Elling as our narrator, Hermes. 

In chatting about the show, Wolfe spent most of his time geeking out excitedly at this impressive roster of co-stars. 

“I mean, Kurt Elling,” Wolfe enthused, sounding like the fanboy he clearly still is. “Authentic, full artist Kurt Elling, who is bringing his entire self to Hermes, an entire history of artistry and musicianship…”

Wolfe keeps going. It makes sense—after all, the young actor’s 54 Below debut only came about because he’d already booked flights to see his Next to Normal co-star Caissie Levy in Ragtime at New York City Center. 

Wolfe’s fame grew when Normal aired on PBS this May as part of its Great Performances line-up, bringing international attention to the acclaimed Donmar Warehouse staging—along with no shortage of memes.

“The response was really surprising for all of us,” said Wolfe. “It’s so fun to see what people have tapped into. 

“And the memes have been great,” he added, grinning. “They’ve all made it into the Next to Normal WhatsApp group chat. Everything gets seen.”

Fame is also evidently a bit intimidating for Wolfe, who comes across as shy and endearingly awkward in conversation. 

“Being perceived is quite frightening to me,” he admitted. “But being a part of that show, I’m really proud of.”

As part of his 54 Below concert, Wolfe spoke into the universe a desire to perform in New York and join the tight-knit Broadway community—a dream now made real, less than a year later.

“Growing up, London was that place to run away to someday,” said Wolfe. “Now, having been in London for ten years, I felt the need to run away again. To be terrified, to be scared again. And New York is so intimidating in a way that is really addictive and exciting.”

Throughout his first week in the city, Wolfe has “felt like Oliver from Oliver and Company,” he said, curling up into a ball-like position as if to demonstrate. “That Disney film about a little kitten in the big city.”

Thankfully, Wolfe the kitten (or baby fox, or woodland nymph, to mention just two other internet comparisons) has been taken in by the Hadestown company—and by Levy, who is getting ready to perform Ragtime again a little ways uptown.

“I touched down in New York and straight away [Caissie texted] “How are you, what do you need,”” said Wolfe. “But that’s indicative of the community here. The Broadway community is real. There is a love here, and so much kindness.”

Performing on Broadway at the same time as Levy also provides some solace, Wolfe admitted, after Normal did not make the trip across the pond.

“There was a small hope, a dream, that maybe the six of us would all be here together one day in New York,” Wolfe said of his Normal family. “I get a breath of that by being able to be performing at the same time as Caissie.”

As for Wolfe’s Orpheus? He sees the young poet as a reluctant vessel, overtaken by a responsibility beyond his understanding: “A song to fix what’s wrong.” 

“It’s not second nature for him to be the hero of his story,” said Wolfe, “It’s a cosmic connection, and a responsibility that has fallen onto him, to change the world.” 

If that means his Orpheus is frightened, Wolfe has plenty to draw upon in that regard. 

“There’s a necessity, with Anaïs’ score, to give in to something larger than you,” said Wolfe. “It’s vulnerable, and very exposing. But maybe my Orpheus can be really terrified too.”

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