Steppenwolf’s ‘Penelope’ not such an appealing sight

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Steppenwolf Theatre Company's "Penelope" features ensemble member Tracy Letts (left) and Logan Vaughn. | Michael Brosilow photo

Updated: February 14, 2012 8:00AM

Four middle-aged men strut their stuff with their guts hanging over tight-fitting Speedo swimwear in “Penelope” at Steppenwolf Theatre.

For the most part, it’s not an appealing sight.

One feels for the actors who bare their bodies in an effort to save the new drama by Enda Walsh.

Indeed, it’s almost depressing to watch some of Steppenwolf’s great actors (Tracy Letts as Fitz, Yasen Peyankov as Quinn, Scott Jaeck as Dunne and Ian Barford as Burns) putting their all into this meandering and vulgar work.

“Penelope” is based on Homer’s classic Greek poem of “The Odyssey.”

After winning the Trojan War, Odysseus wanders for years before finally arriving at his Greek homeland.

That’s where he discovers that usurpers to his throne have not only tried to take over his kingdom, but tried to take over his wife as well.

The exciting part of the tale is the climatic revenge wherein Odysseus pulls back on his gigantic bow to vanquish his enemies with deadly arrows.

Unfortunately, the playwright brings the story into the present and doesn’t focus on the thrilling action-packed part.

Instead, he centers his drama on a bunch of losers who hang around a dried-out swimming pool and smoke sausages on a grill.

These men are supposed to be searching for redemption in the face of death, which is represented by their attempt to win over Penelope, Odysseus’ wife.

Sleek and beautiful Logan Vaughn plays Penelope but we never hear her speak. She just watches the men make pathetic pitches for her love via a video hookup.

The most trying of all the suitors is played by Jaeck, a fantastic and serious actor, who has to roll around the stage in an attempt to look foolish.

This is supposed to garner laughs, but it’s difficult to laugh at someone who has sunk this low. One can only feel sorry for Jaeck having to play such an undignified role.

These men know they’re going to be dead meat when Odysseus returns, so what do they do? Run for their lives? No. Instead, they talk and whine a lot.

They complain and talk and cry and talk. The only action is a silly food fight and a barbecue grill that constantly catches fire.

There are a few moments in the show that do grab one’s attention.

That’s when Peyankov’s character threatens to kill anyone who gets in his way, and when Letts’ (replacing John Mahoney, who had to exit the show because of a death in the family) character attempts to win Penelope by reciting some poetic lines.

What is especially bothersome about the 90-minute show, which seemed to go on and on for what seemed like forever, is the waste of incredible acting talent in the service of such a weird and tedious work.

Betty Mohr is a local free-lance writer.