Penelope, or How the Odyssey Was Really Written musical

[mcsquared]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 12:30am

I was originally going to see the new musical Penelope last weekend but it got postponed due to COVID. Anyone planning on seeing this at the York Theatre?

Updated On: 3/30/22 at 12:30 AM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 12:46pm

I was curious but waiting for word of mouth because an all-male writing team and book and lyrics from the guy behind Desperate Measures wasn't really encouraging.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 3/30/22 at 5:30pm

I got confused as there seems to be multiple musical theater pieces about Penelope.

For Grace McLean fans

 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/19/22 at 10:44pm

Has anyone here seen this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onU4hAiEWMA

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 4/20/22 at 12:33pm

I saw this last Saturday and just loved it.   Under Emily Maltby's direction the cast sparkled.  Great voices, lots of talent,  Everyone having a great time onstage.  The show had delightful sparkling music and also some more serious ballads.  There were moments that also got you a little choked up.  The show was not at all heavy handed as some critics have commented. It was a fun evening and also had many important thought provoking moments.   Standouts to me were Britney Nicole Simpson as Penelope and Ben Jacoby Odysseus.  But the entire cast was superb.  Penelope's suitors were hysterical and fine singers and dancers.  I had a ball at this --- and the audience was one fire with much applause and laughter.  I hope this will be recorded, and that it can be extended.  A delightful evening in the theater. 

[mcsquared]

Posted: 4/20/22 at 3:22pm

The box office said it couldn't be extended since they were renting the theater and it was already booked for future weeks. I think they also said that contracts did not allow streaming. But hopefully it can be continued at another theater or available regionally if it does well

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 4/20/22 at 5:36pm

I also really enjoyed this last week. I didn't read the critic reviews too much in depth but I remember at least one of them calling it non-feminist which I wouldn't say I agree with, though I think the ending does fall a tiny bit flat. There are maybe a few "woke lines" that can come off as cheesy or leading but they seem to fit fairly well into the piece overall, which is really just a comedy that plays fast and loose with some of the events of the Odyssey. The cast all around is quite talented, but the suitors in particular are hysterical and they have the catchiest song (which you know because it's the one played for bows which meant I had it stuck in my head the rest of the night).

I'd love to see this in another iteration in the future, and I've really appreciated how clever Peter Kellogg's lyrics are. 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 4/27/22 at 9:14pm

Does anyone know if this will be recorded?   I found the score to be quite tuneful. 

[mcsquared]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 6:26pm

FranklinDickson2018 said: "Does anyone know if this will be recorded? I found the score to be quite tuneful."

It seemed like such a small show that I doubt it unless it manages to transfer...

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/29/22 at 6:41pm

Melissa25 said: "I got confused as there seems to be multiple musical theater pieces about Penelope.

For Grace McLean fans

"

There was also an André Previn/Tom Stoppard collaboration about Penelope, which was performed at Carnegie Hall just this past January, with Uma Thurman and Renee Fleming.