Making the Music: Anaïs Mitchell Breaks Down "Why We Build the Wall" From Hadestown

Mitchell performs the number that's taken Broadway by surprise.
Anaïs Mitchell went from singer-songwriter to Tony-nominated composer this Broadway season with her new musical ''Hadestown'', which lends a jazz-folk score to the classic Orpheus and Eurydice myth. Before the show ever came to the stage, Mitchell performed Hades's "Why We Build the Wall" for her audiences and saw the song grow in popularity and unnerving relevance for over a decade. Hear her reflect on the process of writing the song all those years ago, including a private performance at the beautiful KZbin Space at Chelsea Market.
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[@theatermania]

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[@ohmygod10101]

This lady is a genius. And I didn't know she had such a great textured voice.

[@emmabehrens6587]

66 a s h u 99 Everyone talks about Hadestown, and don’t get me wrong, it deserves all that recognition and more, but her original music is so incredible.

[@sophias5956]

66 a s h u 99 i personally dislike her voice but i can see how people would love it. her songwriting is amazing though

[@emmanuelfernandes5610]

please, give a listen to the original album! its from 2009, really a lot different from the musical and still really great, and she sings the part of Eurydice! oh, your comments from a year ago... alright!

[@dannypageind]

I just realized if she kept a consistent pace her next musical will be opening on broadway in 2031

[@artyzara1799]

Anaïs 👏 is 👏 a 👏 GENIUS! If this musical doesn’t win best score then the actual riot can start... and not only in the underworld

[@aeveos]

anaïs is probably one of the most unique and talented writers on broadway

[@nataliabokhari1086]

OOf, i adore this musical, it is so poetic and eloquent but still free, powerful and human!♡

[@MoPoppins]

She such a brilliant songwriter. I love her song stories...very evocative and impactful.

[@legolotrlover]

I love this woman, I love this song, I love this show

[@marianferenc3755]

Absolute genius. Such a humble beautiful creature❤

[@torinoherrera]

The way Anaïs holds her guitar is like she is holding a baby lulling it to sleep.

[@razberrymist9475]

This woman is made of magic.

[@dakotahickerson7356]

i so enjoy her beautiful voice, she is absolutely brilliant. i so enjoyed this

[@markweiss1934]

This isn't quite the parallel case but it may be of interest: just as Anais worked on "Hadestown" for many years before bringing it to Broadway, Mark Stew Stewart had a song cycle called "The Drug Suite" on his 2002 indie (obscure) release "The Naked Dutch Painter" including the song "Arlington Hill" which made it into the show and is fairly pivotal: we took a trip for the first time in a bug on arlington hill hip to hip shoulder to shoulder radio blast at everyone's ears i saw you there in the rear view choking on smoke and trying to be cool if you should head for the ceiling close both your eyes then you'll see everything cause suddenly there is a meaning arlington hill helped me see everything

[@markweiss1934]

(Got cut off): And Bill Bragin of Joe's Pub at Public Theatre of New York approached him and suggested that the "Drug Suite" along with the funny stories Stew told between songs --examples of which were included on the same cd--could be the basis for an evening-length show...

[@waderboddle2393]

This video gave me rights

[@TylerMeacham]

i have guitar envy

[@alisonrex5767]

Ufjhjfnsns I would die for Anaïs

[@panchish]

hades and the witch from into the woods? same energy.

[@kyleanlacey8576]

The one dislike is tr*mp

[@picknfish]

To Stop Traffic!.

[@drartemisa21]

uh huh

[@charleshills1408]

It’s a shame broadway took such a beautiful musical and changed it up. They changed how amazing It is. Some people think the broadway version is just different, I love the live cast recordings and it’s just better.

[@JohnSmith-sh5hr]

I mean you're wrong but ok 🙄

[@drartemisa21]

@@JohnSmith-sh5hr ikr

[@KHobbies_cina]

1st comment !!!