Clever, gorgeous, and superbly acted! Hamill’s crafted something special, and I’m changed.
WBUR
Acclaimed writer and adaptor Kate Hamill (Sense & Sensibility, Vanity Fair, Dracula) turns a contemporary lens on Homer’s Odyssey in this new play that reimagines the stories of both Odysseus and his wife, Penelope, and asks how we can learn to embrace healing and forgiveness in order to end cycles of violence and revenge.
This production contains sex, violence (including death of children and animals), and references to sexual assault, as well as fog, haze, strobe, and flashing lights. Recommended for ages 14+.
By Kate Hamill
Based on the epic poem by Homer
Directed by Shana Cooper
Notable dates
Opening Night: 2/18
Member Night: 2/27
ASL Interpreted: 3/5 at 7PM & 3/8 at 1:30PM
Audio Described: 3/12 at 7PM & 3/16 at 1:30PM
Open Captioned: 3/12 at 7PM & 3/16 at 1:30PM
Sensory Inclusive: 3/9 at 1:30PM
Production Sponsors of The Odyssey

Alan Jones and Ashley Garrett
Development Support
The Bob and Alison Murchison New Work Development Fund
Accessibility
Find out about our theater’s accessibility.
Find out about our theater’s accessibility.
Plan Your Visit
Information on getting to the theater, local restaurants, and the Loeb Drama Center, including restrooms and concessions.
Information on getting to the theater, local restaurants, and the Loeb Drama Center, including restrooms and concessions.
Ticketing Policies
Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.
Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.
Content Key
Language 3 out of 5
Violence 4 out of 5
Sexuality 3 out of 5
Substance Use 1 out of 5
Language 3 out of 5
Violence 4 out of 5
Sexuality 3 out of 5
Substance Use 1 out of 5
Ticket Offers
All Discounts
Standard tickets start at $35, and discounts are available to students and ticket-buyers under the age of 25, Blue Star families, EBT card holders, seniors, Harvard faculty and staff, and others.

Take Five
All Performances (Except FEB 18)
$5 Tickets
Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for The Odyssey.
More Info
All Performances (Except FEB 18)
$5 Tickets
Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for The Odyssey.
More Info

Harvard ArtsThursdays
FEB 20 at 7PM
Free with RSVP
Free tickets will be available to the performance on February 20 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP is required for one or two tickets as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Info and RSVP
FEB 20 at 7PM
Free with RSVP
Free tickets will be available to the performance on February 20 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP is required for one or two tickets as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Info and RSVP
Press Coverage
Reviews
Features
Explore

Developmental Workshop of The Odyssey
Behind the Scenes
OCT 19, 2023
After a developmental workshop, actors present a free reading of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of The Odyssey.
More Info
Behind the Scenes
OCT 19, 2023
After a developmental workshop, actors present a free reading of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of The Odyssey.
More Info

The Odyssey in Ulysses
Civically Speaking
FEB 28, 2022
Explore how Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of The Odyssey is in dialogue with both the original epic poem and James Joyce’s landmark modernist novel, Ulysses.
More Info
Civically Speaking
FEB 28, 2022
Explore how Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of The Odyssey is in dialogue with both the original epic poem and James Joyce’s landmark modernist novel, Ulysses.
More Info

Virtual Reading of The Odyssey
Behind the Scenes
JAN 12, 2021
Writer and performer Kate Hamill shares a scene from her new play, discusses reexamining classic texts through a feminist lens, and explains why she feels she has always been meant to adapt Homer’s epic.
More Info
Behind the Scenes
JAN 12, 2021
Writer and performer Kate Hamill shares a scene from her new play, discusses reexamining classic texts through a feminist lens, and explains why she feels she has always been meant to adapt Homer’s epic.
More Info
Essential Question
If you’ve gone through something traumatic, can you ever go back to who you were? Can you ever go back home?
A.R.T. leads with inquiry and asks questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in a never-ending journey of learning and growth. For each production, the creative team, company, and Engagement team develop an Essential Question to guide work in the rehearsal room, onstage, and for engaging with audiences.
Credits
Learn about the collaboration of artists who created the show, as well as the staff, supporters, and partners who made it possible.
Creative Team
By
Kate Hamill
Based on the epic poem by
Homer
Directed by
Shana Cooper
Scenic Design
Sibyl Wickersheimer
Costume Design
An-Lin Dauber
Lighting and Projection Design
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew
Sound Design and Music Composition
Paul James Prendergast
Hair, Wig, & Make-up Design
Rachel Padula-Shufelt
Puppetry Director and Designer
Kate Brehm
Movement Director
Stephanie Martinez
Casting Director
The Telsey Office/Karyn Casl, CSA
Fight Director
Ted Hewlett
Intimacy Coordinator
Kayleigh Kane
Associate Movement Director
Taylor Yocum
Production Stage Manager
Terence Orleans Alexander
Cast

Telemachus/Nausithous/Hector
Carlo Albán

Telemachus/Nausithous/Hector
Carlo Albán

Puppeteer
Abigail Baird

Puppeteer
Abigail Baird

Elpenor/Achilles/Suitor
Benjamin Bonenfant

Elpenor/Achilles/Suitor
Benjamin Bonenfant

Odysseus
Wayne T. Carr

Odysseus
Wayne T. Carr

Understudy for Odysseus, Polites
Ben Cherry

Understudy for Odysseus, Polites
Ben Cherry

Woman 1/Nausicaa
Alejandra Escalante

Woman 1/Nausicaa
Alejandra Escalante

Understudy for Penelope, Woman 3
Kristian Espiritu

Understudy for Penelope, Woman 3
Kristian Espiritu

Woman 2/Circe
Kate Hamill

Woman 2/Circe
Kate Hamill

Woman 3/Madame/Melantho/Anticlea/Andromache
Nike Imoru

Woman 3/Madame/Melantho/Anticlea/Andromache
Nike Imoru

Understudy for Woman 1, Woman 2, Puppeteer
Alexandria King

Understudy for Woman 1, Woman 2, Puppeteer
Alexandria King

Amphinomus/Antinous
Keshav Moodliar

Amphinomus/Antinous
Keshav Moodliar

Penelope
Andrus Nichols

Penelope
Andrus Nichols

Polites/Polyphemus/Ajax/Suitor
Jason O’Connell

Polites/Polyphemus/Ajax/Suitor
Jason O’Connell

Eurylochus/Agamemnon/Suitor
Chris Thorn

Eurylochus/Agamemnon/Suitor
Chris Thorn

Understudy for Elpenor, Telemachus, Eurylochus
Rodney Witherspoon II

Understudy for Elpenor, Telemachus, Eurylochus