Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park debuted their first musical in 41 years.
From February 20, 2025, to March 2, 2025, at the Paseo Indoor Theatre, Penelope took the stage, impressing audiences with a performance led by actress Amanda Lee and accompanied by a five-piece band: Dustin Morningstar (piano), Aaron Michael (violin/music director), Joseph Messick (viola), Cheyenne McCoy (cello), and Sarah Stubblefield (drum set).
Penelope takes her turn telling “herstory” through the lens of Odysseus’ wife in Homer’s Odyssey. The Odyssey is a classic that has endured for centuries.
Even in 2025, its popularity continues to rise. Can it still be relevant today?
The answer is yes, very much so.
The queen and wife, left with the entirety of Ithaca, her child, countless suitors to fend off, and heartbreak, now takes hold of the mic centerstage.
Paired with the one-woman show and single-mom trope, this show pretty much covers its bases.
With one-woman shows such as Love, Linda, Bad Dates, and I Am My Own Wife, and single motherhood representation being at the forefront of social issues, Penelope’s story ages like the Old Fashioned she sips during one of her songs.
Supporting Penelope, the string section nods to the traditional duets, trios and quartets in the late 18th century.
However, when the piano and drum set are introduced, hints of jazz, blues and folk create the modern twist that Penelope is aiming for.
Arguably, both time periods are long before the Iliad and Odyssey, yet the fusion of these diverse genres stands as a testament to Penelope‘s timelessness through the centuries.
The combination of the classical string setup with the inclusion of viola, the folksie violin, the improvisational spirit of jazz piano, and the soulful depth of blues drum set and vocals creates a rich tapestry of sound that mirrors Penelope’s complex character.
Through this musical composition, she bridges the ancient and modern worlds, reflecting her adaptability in the face of enduring challenges.
Her story speaks to the universal experience of overcoming hardship, making it relatable to anyone who has faced adversity or sought to reclaim their personal strength.
This timeless narrative is just one of many powerful performances you can experience at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park.
Later season events include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again], April 17–27, 2025; The Merry Wives of Windsor, June 5–15, 2025; and Love’s Labour’s Lost, August 7–17, 2025.
thank you