rOcKS @ 'Waiting for Godot' — Page 2

I was at the show last night as well, Row JJ. Me and my girlfriend both thought it was very boring, however she liked the second act better for some reason. I like the fact that there's a possibility it could be a dream, but that's just a praise for the story. My girlfriend was saying that this was almost a straight adaptation of the play, so can a good night of theatre really be had by Waiting for Godot? I think I chuckled one and a half times throughout, and it definately doesn't feel like a comedy.

As for Stage Door, oh man, John Goodman DID NOT want to be there. I think he knew as well as the audience did how bad the play was. I've never seen someone so grumpy. Nathan Lane, however, came out and took a picture with me (even though his "handler" said he's not taking pictures).

I would not recommend the show to ANYONE. But, didn't a lot of people seem to be laughing? It may be an older person play.

"I would not recommend the show to ANYONE. But, didn't a lot of people seem to be laughing? It may be an older person play."

Dear god...

It's Beckett. Don't expect to sit back and be entertained. This is a play that you have to engage. I won't be ageist here, I'm sure there are plenty of younger folk capable of that and willing to, but perhaps you and WickedRocks aren't two of them. I'll accept that Beckett may be an acquired taste. If it isn't for you, it isn't for you. That doesn't make it bad, nor you bad theater-goers. Godot is funny, but in a subtle way. It isn't supposed to be a laff riot. It's supposed to make you think.

Glad to hear Lane is keeping himself reined in. He's an extraordinarily talented performer who frequently ruins his performances by going all Nathan Lane on them. Maybe I'll go see this quick while he's still in check.

Loved the Lincoln Center Godot years ago with Irwin and I'm looking forward to seeing him in a different role in this piece.

Updated On: 4/4/09 at 10:28 AM

I have tickets for the 28th and I'm looking forward to it... I love Waiting for Godot. I can see how it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, since it is pretty much as absurdist as it gets and IS (purposefully) repetitive.

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I went last night and think this will be at its best toward the end of the run. They were really feeling their way last night.

Based on this thread I'm glad that I exchanged my ticket for last night for a performance in mid-June.

It's not an 'older person' play. I'M an older person and I've hated it since first seeing it over 40 years ago. I've tried seeing it at least 2 more times since then (it's a classic - so I SHOULD like it, right?) but no dice. I've just never 'acquired' the taste for Godot. It's been about 12 years since my last attempt but I won't be seeing this. I've given up on it.

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I don't see how this is a comedy

One word for you: Absurdism.

Perhaps it's not done well here, but that's how the play is funny. I take it you haven't read the play.

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I'll venture a guess without having seen this revival that it's the production, because it's surely not the play. You should read it. You might not be able to enjoy it if this revival is cemented enough that you'll imagine it along with the text, but if you can try to wash it out, give it a try.

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Ouch. The old person comment kind of hurt. I might be the biggest fan of the performance on here, and I'm 28. But I put a photo of myself on The Age Project and people voted that they thought I looked 37. There's a decision I regret.

I'd read the play a few times before seeing this production which I definitely think helped. The only other of his shows I've seen in performance was Endgame at BAM...was that last year? Which I also quite enjoyed even though I wasn't in love with John Turtorro's performance.

It WAS a first preview, and I thought Irwin and Lane grew more comfortable as the evening progressed where Goodman had a stronger first act then second, but overall I really was incredibly impressed (I feel like a shill). I'm very curious to see how more people react to this and to how it comes together as the run goes on--I'll grab some Hiptix tickets later in the run for sure.

I liked this better than Exit the King. While Geoffrey Rush is dazzling in that (as is Andrea Martin in a much smaller role), I think that is a lesser play in a somewhat uneven translation. And Susan Sarandon (god love her) really dragged the show down for me.

Because the appeal of bleak absurdist comedy is, shall we say, limited, I do find it curious that they decided to do this at Studio 54 and not the more intimate American Airlines or the even more logical (in my mind) off-Broadway space. They're definitely counting on star wattage to bring people in which could backfire since it's such a love it or hate it piece.

The most pleasant surprise for me was Nathan Lane who I think can be entirely too hammy and too often seems to be giving the same performance. He holds back here quite a bit. It's an admirable show of restraint. And I've said it before in this thread, but Bill Irwin is just amazing.

I've yet to see this production and not sure if I even want to the next time I'm in NYC, but I'm the first to admit it is because I strongly dislike the show. I've read the play and seen 2 productions of it (both very good productions, but I still did not enjoy the play itself). I suppose I am of the younger generation (26), but I can't find the humor in the show. The first time I saw it, it was because a friend of mine is a huge Beckett fan. Like I said, the production itself was very good, but I found the play dull. So I decided to read it to see if I missed something, since I'd been told the humor is more subtle. Nope. Saw it another time in another local production to see if that changed my mind, but nada. My friend still loves the show (and she is my age), so different strokes for different folks.

Glad to hear though that Lane reigned himself in a bit. His over the top approach can work with some things, but here I'd think it would be too much.

^^Really? Hmm. I do really enjoy Nathan Lane, but I don't even think he is enough to get me to like this play.

Honestly, if the best you can say is that you "don't mind" absurdist comedy, and think that Nathan Lane playing over the top is the best thing in the play, then Godot just isn't for you.

Beckett knew what he was doing - he doesn't need Lane to "improve" Godot.

Updated On: 4/4/09 at 06:31 PM

Beckett is not for everyone. I've seen Godot twice in previous productions and hated it both times. I've also seen several of his short plays and find them to be equally tedious, although you do have to admire his imagination.

Really though, any production of "Godot" is probably going to be enjoyed only by lovers of old theatrical chestnuts.