GREENVILLE — One of Greenville’s most famous native actors will step in once again as a lead of the popular musical “Hadestown.”
Phillip Boykin, 56, will perform as Hades at London’s historic Lyric Theatre after a two-year run on Broadway in New York City. The news comes as a surprise after the current Hades, Patrick Page, sustained an injury and needed a replacement.
It will put Boykin back into the spotlight of the theater world. At the Lyric Theatre, he will join the original cast from 2019 of the Greek myth-inspired production.
Phillip Boykin, left, Nicholas Ward, Daniel Torres and Eddie Korbich walk the red carpet after the opening night performance of Broadway’s “The Music Man” at the Winter Garden Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Boykin previously played Hades in “Hadestown” on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City starting in 2023.
After a two year run, Boykin gave his last Hades performance in New York City last month.
“It was my honor to portray Hades in this most beautiful and brilliant show!!!” he wrote on Instagram.
One of the most famous actors from Greenville, Boykin has appeared in a number of Broadway theater productions, including “The Music Man,” “Once on This Island” and “On the Town.” He was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in “Porgy and Bess” in 2012.
Boykin graduated from Greenville High School and attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities and the Fine Arts Center. He credits the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre as a major inspiration.
The original cast of “Hadestown” will perform in London until March 9.