York Theatre Company's world-premiere production of Penelope, or How The Odyssey Was Really Written at The Theater at St. Jean's began April 2. Opening night will be April 7, with performances continuing through April 24.
Starring in the show are Philippe Arroyo (Aladdin) as Telemachus, Leah Hocking (Billy Elliot) as Eurycleia, Cooper Howell (Emojiland) as Antinous, Ben Jacoby (Beautiful) as Odysseus, David LaMarr (Jersey Boys) as Mileter, Jacob Alexander Simon (A Chorus Line) as Bassanio, Britney Nicole Simpson (Beauty and the Beast) as Penelope, George Slotin (High Button Shoes) as Haius, Sean Thompson (Sunset Boulevard) as Barius, and Maria Wirries (Dear Evan Hansen) as Daphne. The company is rounded out with swings Bebe Browning and Constatine Pappas.
See photos from the production below:
Jacob Simon, David LaMarr, Britney Nicole Simpson, Sean Thompson, and George Slotin
Ben Jacoby and Britney Nicole Simpson
Jacob Simon, David LaMarr, George Slotin, Sean Thompson, Maria Wirries, and Philippe Arroyo
Ben Jacoby, Leah Hocking, Jacob Simon, David LaMarr, George Slotin, Sean Thompson, Maria Wirries, Philippe Arroyo, and Britney Nicole Simpson
Maria Wirries, Philippe Arroyo, Leah Hocking, Britney Nicole Simpson, David LaMarr, Cooper Howell, Sean Thompson, George Slotin, and Jacob Simon
Ben Jacoby, Philippe Arroyo, and Maria Wirries
Britney Nicole Simpson, Ben Jacoby, and Leah Hocking
Ben Jacoby and Philippe Arroyo
Ben Jacoby
George Slotin, Sean Thompson, Maria Wirries, and Philippe Arroyo
George Slotin, Jacob Simon, Sean Thompson, David LaMarr, Leah Hocking, Cooper Howell, Philippe Arroyo, and Britney Nicole Simpson
Leah Hocking, Philippe Arroyo, and Britany Nicole Simpson
Jacob Simon, David LaMarr, Sean Thompson, and George Slotin
Maria Wirries, Philippe Arroyo, Britney Nicole Simpson, and Leah Hocking
Britany Nicole Simpson
Cooper Howell, Jacob Simon, David LaMarr, Britany Nicole Simpson, Leah Hocking, George Slotin, Sean Thompson, Philippe Arroyo, and Maria Wirries
The musical features a book and lyrics by Tony nominee Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina) and music by Stephen Weiner (The Rivals). The work reimagines The Odyssey by focusing on Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, through letters she writes to herself under the guise of the letters being from her husband as he fights in the Trojan War.
Emily Maltby directs and choreographs the production, leading a creative team that includes scenic designer James Morgan, costume designer Lex Liang, lighting designer Joan Racho-Jansen, and sound designer Brad Ward. Chris Steckel is production stage manager. David Hancock Turner (Cheek to Cheek, Desperate Measures) is music director and has provided orchestrations. The musical also features vocal arrangements by Turner, Steve Delehanty, and Weiner. Casting is by Michael Cassara.
For tickets and more information, visit YorkTheatre.org.
