PENELOPE

artwork by Steven Rishard

artwork by Steven Rishard

Music, Lyrics & Arrangements by Alex Bechtel
Book by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, Eva Steinmetz

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Penelope began as a writing project for Alex Bechtel at the start of the pandemic. Forced to quarantine from his romantic partner, he found comfort and healing in writing songs from the point of view of Penelope, Odysseus’ waiting wife in Homer’s Odyssey. Penelope is a musical love letter to all those who wait: For someone they love. For something they believe in. And hope that the wait will end well.

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Penelope at Joe’s Pub

This summer, co-creator Grace McLean returned to the title role in concert performances of Penelope at the Public Theatre’s Joe’s Pub.

Penelope in the New York Times

Laura Collins-Hughes of The New York Times visited rehearsals for the world premiere production of Penelope to interview Alex and his collaborators about the origins of the piece, and their collaboration.

Read the feature here.

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Penelope had its world premiere at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, September 2023.

Tatiana Wechsler in Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s production of Penelope

Learn More about the HVSF Production Here

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Penelope continued its journey with a production at Signature Theatre in DC, March-April 2024. The production received rave reviews, extended its run, and broke box office records for Signature’s ARK stage.

Jessica Phillips in Signature DC’s production of Penelope

 

In 2020, Bechtel and a few collaborators recorded a concept album of Penelope from their homes, during lockdown.

 
 

Words & Music Alex Bechtel

Vocals, Pianos, Acoustic Guitar, Synths Alex Bechtel
Cellos Justin Yoder
Violins Alexander Sovronsky
Electric Guitar Danny Bechtel
Clarinet Sean Bailey

Recorded from the musicians’ homes and mixed by Alex Bechtel.