Interview: Homer's PENELOPE is brought to life in musical adaptation. Director Sarah Gay and Actress Cara Statham Serber share their experience.

You don't have to know Greek Mythology to understand the story of longing; those long periods of waiting while the romantic couple in the narrative is separated, either by force or necessity. But, the Greeks may have been the first to use this thematic element and we've reimagined and reused this technique in many genres: Westerns were the cowboy goes away and leaves his true love behind, Melodramas in which the lovers are separated and refused their right to marry for love, Comedies were misunderstandings take place while one lover is away and suddenly returns to find their lover mistakenly in the arms of another person. All the while, these characters pine for one another as they wait for their reunion. We watch and wait with them, feeling their pain alongside them until we're able to celebrate their reuniting or grieve their tragic ending. 

It works, because it's relatable. How many spouses throughout history have waited for their partner's return from war? From extended work trips? From overseas? Waiting is hard, at times, unbearable. 

In Greek Mythology, Homer's The Odyssey focuses briefly on Penelope, the faithful spouse of Odysseus, who takes on the role as the waiting wife for twenty long years. Director Sarah Gay and Cara Statham Serber along with Theatre Three, have collaborated to bring us the musical production of Penelope, written by Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean and Eva Steinmetz with music and lyrics by Alex Bechtel, running February 19- March 22, 2026. 

Penelope focuses on more than just longing. As a woman of a certain age, facing many challenges, her will is as strong as ever and her vow to her husband is air-tight, despite the number of suitors who appear to woo her in Odysseus' absence. Together, Sarah Gay and Cara Statham Serber have proved a powerhouse force in the telling of Penelope's story, one that hits home for so many. When I asked them about their experience with this production, this is what they had to say.

Me: Sarah, tell us about your production! What was your initial reaction to the script?

Sarah: I loved the script from the first read. It is funny, heartfelt, and full of beautiful imagery and storytelling. My first reaction was, "I know the perfect person to play this role"- and fortunately, Cara Statham Serber was available!

Me: What stamp have you put on the production? What can audiences expect?

Sarah: What makes our production distinct is that it is driven by two female theatre makers at a particular point in our lives- shaped by maturity, experience, and strong artistic perspectives. Those perspectives actively inform how we tell this female-driven story. From the outset, our vision of Penelope’s journey was deeply aligned. That synchronicity has become a powerful vehicle for Cara at the height of her abilities as a performer. Since the first production in Fort Worth, I have watched the show countless times, and it still makes me laugh and brings me to tears every time! 

Me: Cara, what has really resonated with you about Penelope, as a character and as a production?

Cara: Penelope is a woman in Act Two of her life, as am I. When this show came into my life, I was in the midst of some important transitions of my own. Her fire and resilience felt deeply personal to me. 

Though Penelope is a one-woman show, it is truly a collaboration. The set, lighting, and costume design elevate the storytelling in incredibly meaningful ways, and the band—piano, violin, viola, cello, and percussion—becomes the other characters in the story. It’s incredibly beautiful.

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your process with the character? Was there a specific approach that you wanted to take?

Cara: Penelope is one of the easiest characters I’ve ever fallen into. She feels like home, so there hasn’t been a lot of work in finding her. The most challenging part of the process is that it’s a one woman show. Every moment of rehearsal centered on me…yikes!  

You can hear Penelope's story at Theatre Three, opening this week, Thursday, February 19! Tickets are available at theatre3dallas.com

Enjoy the Show!

Natalie Shaw

Photos by Jeffrey Schmidt

Cara Statham Serber as Penelope