What happens when one of history's greatest epics is told from the perspective of the woman left behind?

That's the question at the heart of Penelope, the acclaimed contemporary chamber musical created by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz. Now, with the release of Penelope: Live at Joe's Pub from JOY MACHINE RECORDS and an upcoming run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the award-winning musical is reaching even more audiences.

On The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we're joined by composer, lyricist, and co-book writer Alex Bechtel along with Broadway star, co-book writer, and performer Grace McLean to talk about the journey of creating this deeply personal and emotionally rich new work.

Inspired by Bechtel's own experience of being separated from his partner during the COVID-19 pandemic, Penelope reimagines Homer's epic through the eyes of Penelope, who has spent twenty years waiting for Odysseus to return from war. Blending folk-pop music, intimate storytelling, poetic movement, and sharp humor, the musical transforms an ancient tale into a moving reflection on love, loneliness, hope, and resilience.

The live album captures the energy of the show's celebrated performances at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, following acclaimed productions at Hudson Valley Shakespeare, Signature Theatre, Theatre Horizon, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Ancram Center for the Arts.

Bechtel has earned widespread acclaim as a composer, writer, musician, and theater artist, while McLean has become one of Broadway's most distinctive voices through performances in Suffs, Bad Cinderella, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, alongside her own celebrated original music and award-winning theatrical work.

Together, Alex and Grace discuss the collaborative process behind Penelope, the inspiration for its unforgettable music, what it means to reinterpret a legendary story for today's audiences, and why this timeless tale continues to resonate in such a powerful way.

Watch our conversation with Alex Bechtel and Grace McLean on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, streaming on BroadwayWorld, Broadway Podcast Network, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and wherever you enjoy great conversations.

For more information, visit RobertBannon.com and follow @RobertMBannon on Instagram.

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