Two men meet by a tree and wait. As the hours drag on, they talk, bicker, philosophize, joke, and wait some more—for someone named Godot, who may or may not arrive. Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, originally subtitled a “tragicomedy,” follows the endlessly circular conversations of Vladimir and Estragon as they wrestle with the absurdity of time, memory, and purpose. The play, both spare and layered, is a landmark of 20th-century theatre and a cornerstone of existential drama.
This new Broadway production features Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, John Wick) and Alex Winter (Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, The Lost Boys) in the central roles. Lifelong friends offstage, the two reunite onstage to portray Beckett’s infamous pair of wanderers. The production is helmed by Jamie Lloyd, whose previous directorial work on Sunset Boulevard, A Doll’s House, and Betrayal has earned both Olivier Awards and Tony nominations. Lloyd brings his signature minimalist style and psychological precision to Beckett’s dense and elusive text.
A defining work of absurdist theatre, Waiting for Godot is notable for its deliberate inaction and cyclical structure. Originally premiered in 1953, it continues to provoke debate and reinterpretation. This staging marks a rare major revival of the play on Broadway, with a high-profile creative team bringing new attention to Beckett’s enduring questions about time, existence, and companionship.
