Synopsis
On a sun-scorched island off the coast of Greece, beautiful Penelope awaits the return of her husband, Odysseus, from the Trojan war. Beneath her window, four Speedo-clad men camp in an empty swimming pool, a cock-eyed internment where both provisions and time are running low. Locked in a do-or-die competition to win Penelope’s love, they preen and posture and connive in a last ditch effort to cheat a grisly fate. Penelope, the newest play by powerhouse Irish playwright Enda Walsh, is an eloquent, wildly funny riff on life, love and the war at home.Running Time
Content Advisory
Additional Information
January 18, 25 and February 1 before
Wednesday Matinees
1:15-1:45 in the balcony lobby (for 2:00 showtimes)
Special Performances
Friday, January 20 at 7:30pm
Open Captioning
Saturday, January 21 at 3pm
Audio Description and Touch Tour
Sunday, February 5
Touch Tour: 1:30pm
Curtain: 3pm
Watch & Listen
Cast & Artists
The Artists
- Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls
- Costume Design: Ana Kuzmanic
- Directed by: ensemble member Amy Morton
- Scenic Design: Walt Spangler
- Author: Enda Walsh
Featured Ensemble Members
The Cast
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You can read articles from the program above or if you'd like or you can download the entire program here and read cast bios and find out about upcoming Steppenwolf events and shows.
The Odyssey Abridged
Not familiar with Odysseus or The Odyssey? Check out our abridged, comic book version of the story.
Program Articles
A conversation with playwright Enda Walsh and Steppenwolf Literary Manager Aaron Carter
Four men are locked in combat for resources and a mate. From the perspective of evolution, this is the most fundamental of competitions: surviving long enough to pass your genes to the next generation.
The delicious tension between the original and the riff is part of what makes retellings of The Odyssey so popular. Please enjoy this glimpse of the company Enda Walsh’s Penelope keeps.
Fun facts about the cast of Penelope
We’re thrilled to present Enda Walsh’s Penelope as the second play in our season, “Dispatches from the Homefront.”