Sunday, May 10, 2009

Waiting for Godot on Broadway

It has been more than fifty years since Waiting for Godot has been staged on Broadway. The new production stars Nathan Lane, John Goodman, Bill Irwin and John Glover (not shown).For those who like their existentialism delivered by Shakespearean actors, a production starring Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart just opened in London (reviewed here in the Guardian). But the play offers more than a few opportunities for clowning. Nathan Lane makes sense as Estragon when you consider that the original production featured Bert Lahr, best remembered as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
Ben Brantley of the New York Times writes that the revival reminds us that Becket can be fun:
But in 2009, Anthony Page’s smart, engaging production for the Roundabout Theater Company makes it clear that this greatest of 20th-century plays is also entertainment of a high order.
Broadway doesn't have to be all about Disney characters. Musings about the meaningless of it all can be entertaining.
Trivia questions: In what 80s hit video did Bill Irwin appear? What other comedian played in the video? Which role did that other guy play in Godot? And what other famous comic was part of that production? In what Woody Allen movie did John Glover appear? What was the name of his character? Bonus points if you can quote from his short but memorable appearance.
Photo: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The video (I think) was "Don't Worry, Be Happy" the other comic....I give up.

A question for you: What DE blogger shares a birthday with Mr. Beckett ? (Day and month, not year)

jason330

10:45 AM, May 12, 2009  
Blogger Tom Noyes said...

Correct. The other comedian in the video was Robin Williams.

4:45 PM, May 12, 2009  

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