When Erika Henningsen sings "I’m gonna save every soul in Hell," it doesn’t sound like cartoon fantasy—it sounds like a Broadway anthem with teeth. That’s the magic of Hazbin Hotel, the animated musical series that’s turned a cult YouTube pilot into a cultural phenomenon, powered by a cast of Broadway’s brightest. Season 2 premieres October 29, 2024 on Amazon Prime Video, and the show’s real secret weapon isn’t its animation or its devilish humor—it’s the fact that nearly every voice belongs to someone who’s belted out show tunes under Broadway lights.
From Stage to Screen: A Cast of Tony Winners and Rising Stars
The voice cast reads like a Who’s Who of New York theatre. Jeremy Jordan, who once played a singing newsboy in Newsies and later returned to Broadway in The Great Gatsby, brings the smoky charisma of Lucifer Morningstar to life—complete with a croon that could melt ice in the Ninth Circle. Christian Borle, a Tony winner for Something Rotten!, voices the radio-demon tyrant Vox, his performance layered with chilling precision and dark humor. Then there’s Darren Criss, fresh off his Emmy-winning turn in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, playing Saint Peter with a bewildered, almost bureaucratic divinity that’s both hilarious and haunting.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Lilli Cooper, currently on Broadway in Water for Elephants, voices a key supporting character. Alex Newell, who won a Tony for Wicked as Billy, brings powerhouse vocals to the role of Angel Dust’s frenemy. Even Patina Miller, the Tony-winning star of Pippin and Sister Act, lends her voice to the angelic Sera—a role that flips the script on celestial perfection.
The Broadway Concert That Broke the Internet
But the real curveball? Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway. On October 20, 2024, at the historic Majestic Theater, the entire principal cast will perform live—songs from both seasons, costumes, choreography, and all. Hosted by Erika Henningsen, who voices the relentlessly optimistic Charlie Morningstar, the concert is produced by RadicalMedia and will later stream on Prime Video. Tickets? Available through 1iota. Cosplay? Strongly encouraged. The line for tickets broke the site within minutes.
"It’s less, ‘Let’s get in the booth and have some fun,’" said Christian Borle in a recent London interview, "and more, ‘Let’s know how this is impacting people.’" That’s the shift. This isn’t just a cartoon with great songs—it’s a lifeline for queer fans, outcasts, and anyone who’s ever felt too loud, too weird, or too much for the world. And now, it’s filling Broadway’s biggest house.
From YouTube Viral to Prime Video Hit
It all started in 2019, when animator Vivienne "VivziePop" Medrano uploaded a 15-minute pilot to YouTube. No studio backing. No marketing budget. Just hand-drawn demons, killer pop-rock ballads, and a princess who believed redemption was possible. Within months, it hit 100 million views. A24 picked it up in August 2020. Season 1 dropped in January 2024. And now? Season 2 arrives with eight episodes released in pairs, ending November 19, 2024.
The music? Co-written by Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg, whose compositions blend Broadway showstoppers with heavy metal riffs and glittery pop. The first single, "Hazbin Guarantee (Trust Us)," is already streaming—equal parts seductive and sinister. The full soundtrack drops the same day as the season finale.
Why This Matters Beyond the Screen
What makes Hazbin Hotel more than entertainment is its quiet revolution. Charlie Morningstar isn’t just a princess—she’s a symbol. She’s the kid who was told they were too much, too loud, too queer, too broken to be loved. Her hotel isn’t a place of punishment—it’s a place of second chances. And the people voicing her? They’re living it.
When Stephanie Beatriz (Vaggie) says, "I’ve played characters who were broken. But never one who was trying to fix the world," you feel it. When Blake Roman (Angel Dust) sings about addiction and self-worth in "I’m a Star," it’s not acting—it’s testimony.
And then there’s the finale. In Season 1, Sir Pentious—yes, the guy with the robotic dragon—ascends to Heaven as the first redeemed soul. The message? Even the weirdest, most flawed among us can be saved. That’s not just a plot twist. It’s a promise.
What’s Next? The Soundtrack, the Tour, the Legacy
Season 2’s soundtrack drops November 19, 2024. Rumors swirl about a full-scale Broadway adaptation—maybe even a tour. Meanwhile, the cast continues to perform on stage. Jeremy Jordan returns to The Great Gatsby on November 10. Lilli Cooper is still in Water for Elephants. Alex Newell is already rehearsing for their next role. The show didn’t just give them gigs—it gave them a movement.
For fans, it’s more than a cartoon. It’s a community. For Broadway, it’s proof that animation and musical theatre aren’t separate worlds—they’re the same heartbeat, just amplified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Charlie Morningstar, and why is her casting significant?
Erika Henningsen, known for her Tony-nominated role in Love Never Dies, voices Charlie. Her casting matters because she brings a rare blend of innocence and grit—perfect for a princess who believes in redemption. Henningsen’s vocal range, honed on Broadway, allows Charlie’s songs to shift from tender ballads to defiant anthems, making her emotional journey feel deeply human.
Why is the Broadway concert such a big deal?
It’s the first time a fully animated musical series has translated its entire cast and score into a live Broadway performance. The Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway event on October 20, 2024, at the Majestic Theater isn’t just a concert—it’s a cultural milestone. It proves that animated shows can command the same reverence as traditional musicals, and that fan-driven content can earn a place on Broadway’s most hallowed stage.
How did Hazbin Hotel go from YouTube to Prime Video?
After the 2019 pilot amassed over 100 million views, A24—a studio known for bold, indie-driven projects—saw its potential. They greenlit a full series in August 2020, and Amazon Prime Video picked up distribution in 2023. The show’s success wasn’t driven by studio marketing, but by organic fan passion, especially among LGBTQ+ audiences who saw themselves reflected in its characters. This grassroots surge convinced major platforms to invest.
Who are the key music creators behind Hazbin Hotel?
The music is crafted by Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg, who blend Broadway-style ballads with rock, pop, and metal influences. Haft, a singer-songwriter and voice actor, wrote the lyrics and melodies for Season 1, while Underberg, an Emmy-nominated composer, handled orchestration and production. Their work earned the show a 2024 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, a first for an animated series of its kind.
Is there a chance Hazbin Hotel will become a full Broadway musical?
While nothing’s official, industry insiders say talks are underway. The success of the live concert and the show’s massive fanbase make a stage adaptation highly plausible. With its existing songs, strong narrative arc, and built-in audience, Hazbin Hotel could become the next Hadestown—a cult favorite turned mainstream theatrical phenomenon. The cast’s Broadway ties make it even more likely.
What impact has Hazbin Hotel had on its fans?
Fans have shared thousands of stories about how the show helped them through depression, gender dysphoria, and isolation. One Reddit thread titled "Hazbin Saved My Life" has over 12,000 upvotes. The show’s message—that you’re worthy of love even if you’re broken—resonates deeply with marginalized communities. Cast members have said they receive daily messages from viewers thanking them for representation. That emotional weight is why the music hits harder than any special effect.