by Tim Leininger

(Photo Credit: Andy Henderson)

            The latest revival of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot initially presents itself as an oddity for the curious and a fancy for the nostalgic, as its two stars, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have never been renown for their acting prowess, but their charisma as the duo Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted Theodore Logan in the Bill & Ted movie franchise. Still, under the expert handling of Jamie Lloyd, the duo work in this most excellent production, running through Jan. 4, 2026, on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre at 141 W. 44^th St. in New York City.

            Going into this production of Godot, I was dubious at best as to whether I was going to enjoy it. Beckett is not the easiest of playwrights to perform, and as I indicated before, Reeves and Winter aren’t exactly Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. Also, Jamie Lloyd’s work on Broadway has been hit or miss for me. I loved his 2019 production of Betrayal, but his 2023 A Doll’s House and 2024 Sunset Boulevard left me cold. But, what he does here with Godot is make the characters of Estragon (Reeves) and Vladimir (Winters) fit the actors instead of the other way around.

            Reeves and Winters, under Lloyd’s direction, tailor their roles to make them feel like a pair of comfortable old shoes. The duo amble and prattle about in their mostly rambling dialogue about mostly insignificant elements of life as they wait for the enigmatic Godot, who is supposed to provide them some guidance in their lives going forward, whether it be salvation from their destitute situation, or some other form of help. The way Beckett’s language is written, it is quite flexible for interpretation, and having Estragon and Vladimir be non-descript nobodies allows actors under the right direction to find a unique interpretation of the roles that works.

(L to R): Alex Winter as ‘Vladimir,’ Michael Patrick Thornton as ‘Lucky’ (in wheel chair), Brandon J. Dirden as ‘Pozzo’ (seated on stage), and Keanu Reeves as ‘Estragon.’ Photo by Andy Henderson

            Beckett’s script is pretty opaque as to details. Act one is one day and act two is a second day. The way Estragon and Vladimir talk, it suggests that the days are synchronous, but the way memory works between the two characters in relation to each other, as well as their interaction with Pozzo (Brandon J. Dirden), an authoritarian type of character, and his slave, Lucky (Michael Patrick Thornton) suggest that time may be non-linear here, or that their memory of time is a bit more complicated than perceived. Traditionally, Lucky is tied to Pozzo with a rope or leash and hauling heavy bags for Pozzo, but since Michael Patrick Thornton uses a wheelchair in real life, the wheelchair becomes his leash. All other props outside of costumes – fantastically designed by Soutra Gilmour – have been excised from the production. There are no bags, no carrots or radishes, or pipes. The bowler hats and Estragon’s boots are the only items that physically exist and come and go as necessary. Everything else is mimed, which adds an interesting level of metaphysicality to the show, as we, the audience, can interpret what is real and what isn’t. This beautifully blends with Beckett’s existential and absurdist qualities, as the characters question what is real and what isn’t based upon their memories, we question what is real based upon what we see and hear. This is all compounded by Lloyd’s choice to explicitly have Lucky acknowledge the audience during his first act dance and monologue, something the rest of the characters never do.

(Photo Credit: Andy Henderson)

            What it all means is up for interpretation. Beckett was never forthcoming about who or what Godot represents, nor any details about the various characters beyond what is in the script. In that sense, it allows Waiting for Godot to be about whatever we need or want it to be in the moment of our experiencing it. I think the clearest statement coming from Beckett is the fact that Estragon and Vladimir return day after day to awaiting under the promise of his arrival speaks volumes to our human inclination to await salvation over our willingness to find it on our own, willing to wait to the point of destitution for something that may never come. Is Godot supposed to be a metaphor for God or a benevolent government? Could be. In my own example, it speaks more to who I am than who Godot is. Frankly, I don’t think it’s important who or what Godot is. Beckett is more interested in the humanness of his characters than what the future may or may not hold, and Lloyd nails that here.

            Gilmour is also scenic designer for the production. The totally tubular stage concept not only gives a representation of a fallen standpipe or underground tunnel that Estragon and Vladimir take refuge in while awaiting Godot, it also seems to hold a symbolic quality of the myopic vision of the characters and the wasting away of their lives focused on one thing that may or may not ever come.

(Photo Credit: Andy Henderson)

            Reeves and Winter give striking performances, far exceeding my expectations. Dirden and Patrick Thornton are excellent and bring a dynamism that amplifies the energy of the stage. But I think the real hero of this production is Director Lloyd, who had the vision to make something that I didn’t believe could work into a stirring and engaging two hours of theater.

WAITING FOR GODOT

TICKETS: https://godotbroadway.com/

PRODUCTION

Written by Samuel Beckett

Directed by Jamie Lloyd

Scenic & Costume Design: Soutra Gilmour

Lighting Design: Jon Clark

Sound Design: Ben & Max Ringham

Hair & Makeup Design: Cheryl Thomas

Casting: Jim Carnahan, CSA, Liz Fraser, CSA

Associate Director: Conner Wilson

Executive Producer: The Jamie Lloyd Company

Advertising/Marketing: AKA

Marketing Director: Anna Pitera Devito

Press Representative: DKC/O&M

Production Management: Hudson Theatrical Associates

Production Stage Manager: Johnny Milani

Company manager: Tyler Siems

General Management: 101 Productions, LTD., Chris Morey

CAST

Keanu Reeves as Estragon

Alex Winter as Vladimir

Brandon J. Dirden as Pozzo

Michael Patrick Thornton as Lucky

Zaynn Arora as A Boy (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)

Eric Williams as A Boy (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)