Berkshire on Stage

Penelope  by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean and Eve Steinmetz is the enthralling production currently at the Ancram Center for the Arts in Ancram, New York.  It is based on Homer’s “The Odyssey,” the ancient Greek classic about Odysseus, King of Ithaca, who fought in the Trojan War and did not return home for twenty years. In a clever refocus his wife Penelope takes the stage to present the realties of an abandoned woman who must rule Ithaca, raise their son Telemachus into manhood and live in the torturous limbo of unknowing.

  Since Odysseus has not returned from the war, she is courted, or rather menaced, by one-hundred and eight suitors who move into her palace and abuse her hospitality, servants and supplies.  Of course, one of them hopes to become the new king of Ithaca. In order to control this horde and buy time, while hoping for Odysseus’ return, she promises to marry after she has finished weaving a shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes.  By day the loomed work grows into a living tapestry of her dreams and frustrations, while every night she unravels the work, thereby keeping the men at bay. When the suitors discover her subterfuge, they demand that she decide.  

Performed by Ms. McLean, this is, in effect, a cabaret musical staged by Ms. Steimetz, with a five-piece ensemble led by Mr. Bechtel.  It tells the story through songs of different styles and intent.  McLean’s strong alto voice enhances every line, every word.  Each song moves the story or defines the characters that she evokes.  She brings the myth to emotional life.

At the opening, McLean appears on the darkened stage through gauzy curtains, plays several notes on a piano and finally wanders across the stage as the five musicians enter one at a time. We sense her desolation as the first song tells of her early life culminating in the years that Odysseus has been gone.  The piece ends as she pleads in heartbreaking repetition, “Come back to me.”  The second song is much lighter and sarcastic as she sips some scotch and describes the sting of abandonment as almost every able-bodied Greek man runs off to the rescue of the beautiful Helen. With clever barbs Penelope rages against the power of female pulchritude over male stupidity.  She feels that she is the “Silver’ to Helen’s “Gold.” The rest of the score continues to underscore the loneliness of uncertainty, enhanced by poetic ballads, comic numbers, and folk rock songs.  Throughout her performance, spoken or sung, McLean takes us through a series of raw emotional anguish, sometimes with an ironic sense of baffled humor as she tries to sort out this life, not of her own choosing, but hers none the less.

As well as creating an emotional tone and accompanying McLean, the musicians serve as a Greek chorus, who sometimes intone the words of Athena, goddess of war and wisdom.  They are an integral part of Penelope’s story not merely accompanists.

Ms. Steinmetz’s direction is controlled and somewhat unexpected as she has McLean walk through the theatre’s seating area speaking Penelope’s thoughts.  Though it is a solo performance with the musicians on the periphery, her stage pictures emphasize Penelope’s poignant voice.

The set designed by Jacob A. Climer effectively frames the story in its simplicity.  The musicians surround the stage leaving the center area to Ms McLean.  Mathew E. Adelson’s subtle lighting enhances the moods complemented by lamps hanging from the ceiling

Ultimately, as we know, Odysseus returns disguised as an old beggar, reveals himself to her and slays all the suitors and allegedly settles down to live happily ever after. But as Penelope makes clear, she is no longer the dewy-eyed bride that Odysseus left behind.  She is revealed as a woman who has ruled Ithaca, faced down a small army of monsters, and survived through clever ruses and sheer determination. She has proven  herself every much a match for the “wily” Odysseus, the creative genius behind the Trojan Horse.  Though he has returned to their olive tree bed, we wonder about life after this epic homecoming. In the last scene it seems that Penelope does as well.

This “Penelope” is a dynamic retelling of an ancient myth with modern and knowing insight into the realities of the human condition. Thanks to Ancram Center of the Arts for this high quality and unusual production.

Penelope by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, Eve Steinmetz; Director: Eve Steinmetz;Musical Direction: Alex Bechtel; Cast: Grace McLean (Penelope)); The Band: Alex Bechtel (Piano) Nicole Fassold-Harabaru (Viola) Rachel Massey (Violin) Hiroyuki Matsuura (Percussion) Justin Yoder (Cello); Scenic Designer: Jacob A. Climer; Lighting Designer: Mathew A. Adelson; Costume Designer: Oona Botex; Based on Original Sound Design by Palmer Hefferan; Production Stage Manager: Leisah Swenson; Stage Manager: LJ McCaw; Running time: 75 Minutes, 9/19-9/28,2025; for information go to their website at info@ancramart.org or 518-329-0114