Ready to dive into something epic? In this special bonus episode of As You Mic It: In the Spotlight, we’re pulling back the curtain with the brilliant mind behind Penelope—composer and creator Alex Bechtel. Get the inside scoop on how a Greek myth became a bold new musical packed with heart, humor, and haunting melodies. Penelope opens May 30 at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. It's a short run, so don’t miss your chance to experience this unforgettable journey.
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Much gratitude to Chuck Gloman, Jarret Brown, and all of DeSales University for helping us launch this podcast journey.
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- Mentioned: Mary Oliver (I go down to the shore)
- Mentioned: Penelopiad
- Mentioned: Madeline Miller - Circe
- Penelope - Album by Alex Bechtel | Spotify - Take a listen to the haunting music of Penelope.
- Penelope - Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival - One Woman. One Mic. One Epic Night with PENELOPE.
A Co-production with Theatre Horizon
Music and Lyrics by Alex Bechtel
Book by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz
Directed by Eva Steinmetz
May 28 to June 8 | Schubert Theatre
No more waiting in the wings—Penelope takes center stage, and she’s got some things to say. With bourbon in hand, she grabs the mic to deliver her side of the story, recounting her twenty-year wait on the small island of Ithaca while her husband, Odysseus, was off playing hero.
This witty musical flips the script on the dutiful wife history wants you to believe in—Penelope’s done being a footnote in her husband’s epic; this time, she’s writing her own odyssey. With soulful songs, razor-sharp storytelling, and an onstage band doubling as her modern-day Greek chorus, Penelope transforms the tale you thought you knew into a solo cabaret act like no other. It’s raw, fiery, and fiercely original as she steps out of the shadows to set the record straight, and she’s not holding back.
This isn’t just a retelling; it’s a revolution.
Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes, with no intermission.
Content Advisory: Contains mild adult language and themes.
Recommended Age: 13+
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