Chicago Shakespeare Theater Presents WAITING FOR GODOT—A dynamic and exhilarating production

Chicago Shakespeare Theater WAITING FOR GODOT
Aaron Monaghan as Estragon, Garrett Lombard as Lucky, and Marty Rea as Vladimir in Druid theatre company's Waiting for Godot Photo: Matthew Thompson

The star of Ireland Druid Theatre Company’s Waiting for Godot is Garrett Lombard as Lucky. The character of Lucky, the slave, is the most unassuming yet most profound character in the play. His long speech comes out of nowhere, and at first, seemingly meaningless, yet as it goes on, becomes pure Joycean stream of consciousness that is chock full of meaning. Lucky is the play itself—seemingly about nothing, yet it’s about everything, all at once. This production is mesmerizing, with a cast that presents the language and physicality of the play in the pure French tradition of farce—whimsical, tragicomic, and devastatingly human.

In a word, the set is exquisite. Dadaesque in its surrealistic simplicity, the stark landscape of nowhere, punctuated by a barren tree and large stone. The shabby tramps Estragon (Aaron Monaghan) and Vladimir (Marty Rea) bicker, contemplate suicide, discuss life, and wait endlessly for M. Godot. They discuss separating and/or leaving but are unable to do either. Enter the fantastic duo of master and slave, Pozzo (Rory Nolan) and Lucky (Lombard). The actors are nothing short of spectacular in creating the world of the play—in which the apparently insignificant becomes alarmingly important. Estragon and Vladimir are all of us, of course—lonely, desperate souls seeking escape and finding solace, humor, and at times, imprisonment, in each other.

Pazzo and Lucky are different versions of us—the master and slave engaged in an endless power struggle. Lucky, the slave, only comes to life when Pazzo tells him to think, his long speech one long utterance of brilliance that comes to an abrupt halt when he reassumes his hunched over position, rope around his neck as Pazzo pulls him along.

Of course, there are a myriad of ways to interpret Beckett’s statement about the way humans allow themselves to be enslaved by others or take lordship over the “thinking” abilities of those beneath them. Regardless of the interpretation, the actors paint a vivid portrait of postmodern alienation in this timeless production. Successfully, the artists pose the still relevant question: Just how much humanity do you have to give up for the sake of progress?

Chicago Shakespeare Theater WAITING FOR GODOT
Marty Rea as Vladimir and Aaron Monaghan as Estragon in Druid theatre company's Waiting for Godot Photo: Matthew Thompson
Chicago Shakespeare Theater WAITING FOR GODOT
Marty Rea as Vladimir and Aaron Monaghan as Estragon in Druid theatre company's Waiting for Godot Photo: Matthew Thompson
Chicago Shakespeare Theater WAITING FOR GODOT
Marty Rea as Vladimir and Aaron Monaghan as Estragon in Druid theatre company's Waiting for Godot Photo: Matthew Thompson

Astounding Actors

This small cast of Irish actors is astounding in their physical feats and mastery of language. Garrett Lombard’s comic presence is no less entertaining than his long speech that plays like a work of art. Aaron Monaghan and Rory Nolan are the perfect odd couple—two clowns that bounce off each other’s words and stylized movements in circus-like fashion.

If Beckett’s play is the most significant play of the twentieth century, this version is one very significant, not-to-be-missed interpretation.

 

Chicago Shakespeare Theater WAITING FOR GODOT
Marty Rea as Vladimir and Aaron Monaghan as Estragon in Druid theatre company's Waiting for Godot Photo: Matthew Thompson

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

When:
Through June 3, 2018
Sunday, May 27, 2:30 PM – Limited Availability
Tuesday, May 29, 7:45 PM
Wednesday, May 30, 7:45 PM
Thursday, May 31, 1 PM
Thursday, May 31, 7:45 PM
Friday, June 1, 7:45 PM – Limited Availability
Saturday, June 2, 2:30 PM
Saturday, June 2, 7:45 PM
Sunday, June 3, 2:30 PM –Sold Out

Where:
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Navy Pier
660 E Grand Ave
Chicago

Tickets: 

Online at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Or by phone at 312-595-5600

All Photos: Matthew Thompson

 

Note: An excerpt of this play appears in Theatre in Chicago

Marla Seidell Photo: John Abbott

About the Author

Marla Seidell is an actress, writer, and blogger.  She has covered independent film, music, visual art, theater, dining, fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle for a wide range of outlets, including ARTNEWS, Artslant.com, Citysearch.com, the New York Post, Timeout Chicago,  Newcity, ALARM, The Daily Herald, ReelChicago.com, and The A.V. Club.  Marla has performed in over 30 short and feature films and was nominated for Best Actress at the 2015 Laugh or Die Comedy Film Festival. Favorite stage roles include God (Our Christian Nation, Cornservatory) and various eccentric roles in This, That, and The Other Thing (On The Spot Theatre Co.) Marla graduated Honors, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Hofstra University, and was a Fulbright in the Netherlands.

See her current work on Marla Seidell Facebook.

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