Penelope

Penelope

Music and Lyrics by Alex Bechtel
Book by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean and Eva Steinmetz

Penelope

Penelope

Music and Lyrics by Alex Bechtel
Book by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean and Eva Steinmetz

Overview

Penelope has been waiting… and waiting… and waiting for her husband, Odysseus, to return from a decade-long war. Given the rest of the soldiers came home years ago – forgive her, but she’s going to need a drink while she tells you about it. With a beautiful folk-inflected pop score backed by an onstage band of strings, piano and drums, Penelope opens up about her loneliness, her son’s disappearance, her suitors, her gods, her faith in her marriage – and ultimately, the faith that she must have in herself. So go ahead and grab a drink, too, and listen to this ancient tale made new: A woman wondering who she is if she’s alone, and discovering that she has been, is and will always be complete – with or without her husband by her side. 

Blending sharp humor with a folk-pop score, this modern musical retelling of The Odyssey gives Penelope a voice as she awaits her husband’s return, moving through her loneliness to discover her own strength.

Want to perform this show?

Details

  • Genre: Adaptation (Literature), Fable/Folktale
  • Time Period: Contemporary, Greek/Roman/Biblical
  • Cast Attributes: All Women, Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
  • Target Audience: Adult

Authors

Grace McLean

Grace McLean (she/her) is a performer, writer, composer. In addition to performing on Broadway (Suffs; Bad Cinderella; Natasha, Pierre...), Off-Broadway and regionally (MCC, LCT3, The Public, Vineyard, La MaMa, BAM, Weston Playhouse, ART, WTF), and TV (The First Lady [Showtim ...
View full profile