Penelope at Lyric Stage Boston
Written by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz, "Penelope" was born during the isolation of the pandemic when composer Bechtel, separated from his partner by hundreds of miles, found solace in writing songs from the point of view of literature's most famous waiting wife. The result is a solo cabaret-style musical that strips away the monsters and mythical adventures of "The Odyssey" and places the spotlight squarely on the woman left behind - a queen ruling a kingdom on her own while fending off relentless suitors and holding onto faith that her husband will return after twenty long years away.Over the course of approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, Penelope tells her story directly to the audience with a glass of bourbon in hand and a five-piece band by her side. She recounts the horrors of the Trojan War, the endless waiting, and the parade of suitors who have descended on her palace hoping to claim her hand and, with it, the throne of Ithaca. To keep them at bay, she weaves a tapestry by day and secretly unravels it each night - a clever act of resistance that speaks to her resourcefulness and quiet power.
Boston critics have embraced the production, with particular praise reserved for Doherty's remarkable performance. She navigates the emotional landscape of the role with striking range, transitioning seamlessly from sharp humor to aching despair to simmering anger. Her command of the stage is evident throughout, and she has a natural ease with the audience that brings warmth and immediacy to the storytelling. In one memorable moment during a recent performance, when an audience member's cell phone rang mid-show, Doherty didn't miss a beat, improvising a quip that brought the house down.
The score by Bechtel has drawn considerable admiration for its wistful beauty, drawing from folk, jazz, and indie rock influences. Musical highlights include the gorgeous overture, the quietly moving "Pilgrim's Song," and the emotionally urgent "Athena's Song." The five-piece band, led by music director Dan Rodriguez on piano with Marissa Licata on violin, Ethan Wood on viola, Kett Lee on violoncello, and Josh Goldman on percussion, is far more than accompaniment. All clad in white, the musicians share the stage as active participants in the storytelling, occasionally serving as a kind of modern Greek chorus that interacts with Penelope and heightens the emotional impact of key moments.
Director Courtney O'Connor, Lyric Stage's producing artistic director, has paced the production with skill, allowing moments of stillness and quiet tension to breathe while keeping the narrative moving forward. The production design is equally striking. Scenic designer Janie E. Howland has created an open, airy set that evokes the beauty of the Greek islands, complete with an ocean blue door, white-tiled floors, and hanging plants that transport the audience to a sunlit Mediterranean terrace. Lighting designer Karen Perlow and sound designer Alex Berg complement the visual beauty with atmospheric work that shifts between warm, sun-drenched tones and more intimate, contemplative moods.
What resonates most powerfully in this production is the story's theme of empowerment. Over the course of the show, Penelope evolves from a woman defined by waiting into someone who recognizes her own strength and agency. She has been running the kingdom for two decades, surviving on her wits and determination, and the show allows her to claim that power fully. It is a story that feels both ancient and urgently contemporary - a portrait of resilience in uncertain times that audiences are finding deeply moving.
"Penelope" plays at Lyric Stage Boston, 140 Clarendon Street, through March 1, 2026. Tickets range from $25 to $95 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 617-585-5678 or by visiting lyricstage.com.