Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts (August: Osage County) appears (replacing John Mahoney) alongside Ian Barford, Yasen Peyankov, Scott Jaeck and Logan Vaughn. Penelope will officially open Dec. 11.
"On a sun-scorched island off the coast of Greece, beautiful Penelope awaits the return of her husband from war," according to Steppenwolf. "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."
Irish writer Walsh's plays include The Walworth Farce, New Electric Ballroom and Misterman, as well as the book to the new Broadway-aimed musical Once, based on the independent film of the same name.
Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre is at 1650 N. Halsted St. For tickets and information, call (312) 335-1650 or visit www.steppenwolf.org.