Great performances makes 'Waiting' worthwile

The University Theatre's production of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" is nothing less than spectacular. It is very rare when all the elements of a production come together in perfect harmony, but in "Waiting for Godot" they do. \nThose familiar with Beckett's masterpiece are aware of its bewildering text in which nothing and everything seems to happen at once. Its two tramps, Vladimir and Estragon, sit at a crossroads during the entire play, waiting for the appearance of the mysterious Godot, who will save them from their horrible lives. They deal with the waiting through various distractions, which always end with them plunked right back into their monotonous and seemingly meaningless existences.\nI will not even try to explain what any of this means. I don't have an English degree, nor the clairvoyant capability to know exactly what Mr. Beckett was thinking when he wrote the piece. But, I can say that every emotion inside me was touched by the production. All of my senses were engaged. I left the theater with no more insight into the meaning of existence than when I entered, but I did leave completely satisfied.\nThe performances in the show are right on target. Graduate student Ira Amyx as Vladimir, or Didi, is appropriately self-assured and completely lacking in confidence at the same time. Graduate student Geoff Wilson as Estragon, or Gogo, plays Helplessness and Defiance alternately with a sad sweetness that was quite human. Lesser actors would have played the parts as straight comedy, but there is a sensitivity and caring in these performances that make them wonderful. Wilson and Amyx seem to love and despise their characters at the same time. It shows an incredible investment of their own selves into the parts, which is incredibly brave and very effective.\nDidi and Gogo are not entirely alone during the show. They receive a visit from Pozzo and his manservant Lucky halfway through both acts of the play. Played by graduate student Sheila Cecelia Regan and senior Arian Moayed, respectively, these characters provide a small distraction for the two tramps. Pozzo is seemingly full of confidence and swagger, ordering poor Lucky about, but he too is lost in the play. Unless his intention is clear for doing a task, he cannot do it and becomes afraid. Then there is Lucky, who seems to be the only character in the show that knows where he belongs, what he is doing, and where he will be in the future. Moayed plays the part with such fierce intensity that when Lucky finally speaks, the audience is on the edge of their seats, and stay with him throughout Lucky's long protracted 'thought.'\nWhile the performances are wonderful, they also benefit from the sure handed direction of associate professor Dale McFadden. His concept for the show is unique and absolutely breathtaking. There is a surreal quality to the world which Didi and Gogo occupy. They speak in tones which imply a great amount of terror within the characters, creating an uneasy feeling of dread. It may be because they think there is no Godot and he will never arrive, but we are never told.\nMcFadden's staging of the play gives the characters a great freedom to move about and play in their surroundings -- however, they also are never able to escape them. So, while the show feels open and airy, it also feels very claustrophobic and dangerous.\nWorking with his scenic designer, associate professor Wes Peters and graduate students Robert Graham, the lighting designer, and costume designer Rebecca S. Jarrell, McFadden is able to create a whole world for the characters. The set resembles something out of Salvador Dali or M.C. Escher. The most wonderful thing about the show's technical aspects are the way they celebrate the University Theatre itself. Sadly, after this performance the Theater Department will be moving their program to the new Ruth N. Halls Theatre, and the University Theatre will be retired. \nWith this in mind, McFadden and company have given the theater a starring role in the production, leaving the backstage areas open for the audience to see, and putting the beautiful wall murals to clever use. It serves as a wonderful farewell to a space that has served the department so well for so long.\nOne thing that saddened me during the show was the number of empty seats in the theater. This is an important production, but due to the nature of the material, some casual theatergoers may shy away from "Waiting for Godot." I will admit it is a difficult show to take in, but the results are completely worth the time it takes. These performers and artists have given the audience a wonderful gift, and I challenge the entire University community to accept it. They will not be disappointed.