Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare’s heavy-handed play based on Homer’s “The Iliad” and titled “An Iliad” is a big challenge for both the single actor who plays The Poet and tells the story and the audience member who must sift through the lengthy (hour and 40 minutes without intermission) dialogue and make sense of it all.

Somehow I got through high school and college without reading the classic. I arrived early and read the program notes, which helped a bit. I did know about Achilles’ heel and a bit about Hector, but I was overwhelmed by all of the references to Greek gods and places.

This is one of those plays that will elicit different responses from the audience. Actor Vince Petronio, who teaches Greek literature at URI, loved the play and related to it. One reviewer in the press night audience was not so enamored.

And then there were those of us overwhelmed, confused and even bored at times but appreciative of the acting of Matt Fraza. Just his ability to remember an hour and 40 minutes of dialogue, remember and properly pronounce the dozens of names of people, places and things, and in one incredible scene list off practically every war known to mankind, has got to give you cause for admiration.

But, as Shakespeare once said, “The play’s the thing,” and this play, which premiered at the New York Theatre to mixed reviews, is all over the place, lacking structure as it works too hard to compare the Trojan War with modern day conflicts.

Fraza works hard trying to connect all the dots, jumping from an almost bare stage to stand and sit right in front of the audience, changing his voice to depict a variety of characters and pausing to indicate changes in time and place (and catch his breath). He is aided by the somber sounds of Evan Lunt on the cello.

There is little humor in this dark production, which tries to be both a history lesson and a morality play.

There is an audience for “An Iliad,” and hopefully those interested in Greek history and mythology, and fine acting, will seek it out.

“An Iliad” is at Wilbury Theatre, in Trinity Church at 393 Broad Street in Providence through Feb. 8. Call 400-7100 or go online at www.thewilburygroup.org for reservations.