Penelope
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. Penelope is an act of communal healing for audiences to gather and express and release the grief, anger, longing, and pain we have been feeling during this time.
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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.
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 will continue its journey with a production at Signature Theatre in DC, March-April 2024.
Learn More about the Signature Theatre Production Here
Penelope was developed, in part, through the Founders’ Club Residency as part of the Orchard Project (www.orchardproject.com), and through LRS Labs (www.lightningrodspecial.com).
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.