Still Waiting

The Broadway revival of Waiting For Godot is the hot ticket right now. That might have surprised Samuel Beckett, but I guess it figures with their all-star cast: Nathan Lane, Bill Irwin, John Goodman and Julian Glover.

When I first heard these names, I figured Irwin would play Lucky, which not only fits him, but is also the part he played previously. However, he's been upped to Vladimir, with Lane as Estragon. Goodman, of course, is Pozzo, so Glover is Lucky.

I remember reading about the Steve Martin/Robin Williams production (with Bill Irwin), directed by Mike Nichols. It sounded like they messed around with the play. This latest version is apparently closer to the author's intentions (though knowing Beckett he still wouldn't have been pleased--he didn't want anyone taking the slightest liberties). The show is getting glowing reviews. Goodman actually got the best notice in the Times, but there are plaudits all around.

There's also a production planned for the West End, starring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. I guess if you want people to cough up big buck for such a spare affair, you gotta dazzle 'em with names.