Penelope, or How The Odyssey Was Really Written Opens at York Theatre Company April 7

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Off-Broadway News Penelope, or How The Odyssey Was Really Written Opens at York Theatre Company April 7

The Off-Broadway company presents the new musical re-telling of the Greek epic at The Theater at St. Jean's.

By Andrew Gans, Logan Culwell-Block

April 07, 2022

Penelope, or How The Odyssey Was Really Written opens April 7 at The Theater at St. Jean's following previews for its world premiere which began April 2. Performances are scheduled through April 24.

Britney Nicole Simpson (Beauty and the Beast) stars in the role of Penelope. She is joined by 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, George Slotin (High Button Shoes) as Haius, Sean Thompson (Sunset Boulevard) as Barius, and Maria Wirries (Dear Evan Hansen) as Daphne. Bebe Browning and Constatine Pappas serve as swings.

Tony nominee Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina) wrote the book and lyrics alongside Stephen Weiner (The Rivals) who wrote the music. The musical reimagines The Odyssey by focusing on Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, through letters she writes to herself in a scheme to fake correspondence with her husband as he is away due to 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.