Off-Broadway's York Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Penelope, or How the Odyssey Was Really Written, slated to begin previews at The Theater at St. Jean's March 22 ahead of a March 31 opening. The limited engagement continues through April 24.
The musical, with book and lyrics by Tony nominee Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina) and music by Stephen Weiner (The Rivals), recasts The Odyssey as letters Odysseus’s wife Penelope writes to herself and pretends are from Odysseus while he’s away fighting the Trojan War.
Emily Maltby (Lolita, My Love) directs and choreographs the epic tale. Musical direction and orchestrations are by David Hancock Turner (Desperate Measures), and vocal arrangements are by Steve Delehanty, Stephen Weiner, and David Hancock Turner. Casting and additional creative team members will be announced in the coming days.
“Penelope is an unexpectedly funny take on a classic piece of literature, with a truly winning score by Stephen Weiner,” says York Producing Artistic Director Jim Morgan. “Greece is the word!”
The production will be housed at The Theater at St. Jean's, the York's temporary residence following major floor damage to its home at Saint Peter's Church.
For more information, visit YorkTheatre.org.