Review: Waiting for Godot by Matt Windman

Beckett's modern theater of metaphor continues to resonate into the twenty-first century.

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Billed as a 50th anniversary revival, this intimate revival at St. Clement’s Church lacks the fanfare of Mike Nichol’s Lincoln Center production with Steve Martin and Robin Williams in 1988 or even the Classic Stage revival with Christopher Lloyd. The estate of Samuel Beckett, which is notorious for refusing to allow changes to the play’s text, cast of all males, or setting, would probably approve of newcomer Alan Hruska’s very straightforward, surface-oriented direction.

The humor of the play has been neglected, but the melancholy of the play is highlighted significantly through an outstanding ensemble cast led by Sam Coppola. On a bare stage with only the classic tree, complimented by a light sky cyclorama, Beckett's modern theater of metaphor continues to resonate into the twenty-first century.

At Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street, 212-239-6200, $55. Fri 8pm, Sat 2:30 & 8pm, Sun 3pm.