Hadestown’s Orpheus: The autistic hero musical theatre didn’t know it needed

In online forums, Hadestown ’s Orpheus is often described as autistic by fans because of his mannerisms and consuming interest in his song. The depiction of Orpheus in Hadestown builds on more traditional representations, creating a unique addition to the Orpheus canon. Autistic fans, particularly on Reddit, describe feeling seen by the character, a rare experience in the theatre, where very few autistic characters – especially ones who are depicted as heroes – exist. Also rare, Hadestown ’s Orpheus is depicted as a complete human with flaws and strengths, one of the main tenets of the popular neurodiversity paradigm. By analysing Orpheus through this paradigm, we can gain insight into how audience members are given a glimpse into the experiences of autistic people in a world not built for them. Hadestown ’s Orpheus is an important step forward for sympathetic and heroic autistic representation in musical theatre.