Over 500 New York City public school students and educators will attend Jamie Lloyd's new production of the Samuel Beckett classic Waiting for Godot, co-starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, later this fall at the Hudson Theatre.
In partnership with New York City’s Department of Education, the Broadway revival will welcome students and educators over two Wednesday matinee performances, October 29 and November 5, through the Department’s Theatre Program. The ticket recipients represent each of the City’s five boroughs, and for many of the young people, it will be their first time seeing a show in a Broadway theatre.
In a statement Tony-winning Sunset Blvd. director Lloyd said, “I’m overjoyed that we are able to partner with Peter Avery and the Department of Education to bring these students and teachers to the Hudson to see Waiting for Godot. This is an amazing opportunity to introduce Beckett’s masterwork to a whole new generation. On behalf of Keanu, Alex, my fellow producers at The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Bad Robot Live, and Gavin Kalin Productions, and the entire cast and crew, I look forward to welcoming these young people and educators to the Hudson.”
“Exposing New York City public school students to the arts is the core mission of our office. We are honored by the generosity of the show's producers and excited as 500 of our emerging creative students will experience Jamie Lloyd's direction of this masterful work,” added NYC Public Schools Arts Office Executive Director Paul Thompson. “Partnerships such as these provide the inspiration and real-life exposure that fuels dreams and catapults careers. We hope to continue building a lasting relationship with the theatre community.”
The revival reunites Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure stars Reeves and Winter as Estragon and Vladimir, respectively. The cast also includes Michael Patrick Thornton as Lucky, Brandon J. Dirden as Pozzo, and Zaynn Arora and Eric Williams as A Boy. Understudies Jesse Aaronson and Franklin Bongjio round out the company. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Liz Fraser
The production marks Reeves' Broadway debut. Winter previously
appeared on Broadway as a child, playing John Darling in the 1979 Sandy
Duncan-led Peter Pan.
Premiering in 1953, Waiting for Godot centers on two men waiting for the titular Godot, engaging in a number of discussions in the meantime. The work has become a theatrical classic. On Broadway alone, this staging is the play's fifth.
The revival also features set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Ben and Max Ringham, and hair and makeup design by Cheryl Thomas. The production stage manager is Johnny Milani, and Veronica Lee is the stage manager. The associate creative team includes associate director Conner Wilson; associate scenic designers Grace Laubacher, Lily Tomasic, and Wilson Chin; co-associate costume designers Ricky Lurie and Jess Gersz; associate lighting designer Jessica Creager; and associate sound designer Christopher Cronin.
The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Bad Robot Live, and Gavin Kalin Productions are producing. 101 Productions, Ltd's Chris Morey is general manager.
Opening night is set for September 28, and this strictly limited engagement will continue through January 4, 2026.
Alex Winter and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Keaunu Reeves and Alex Winter in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter, Michael Patrick Thornton, Brandon J. Dirden, and Keanu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter, Michael Patrick Thornton, Brandon J. Dirden, and Keanu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter, Eric Williams, and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Brandon J. Dirden in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter and Eric Williams in Waiting for Godot
Michael Patrick Thornton in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Michael Patrick Thornton in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter, Brandon J. Dirden, and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter in Waiting for Godot
Brandon J. Dirden in Waiting for Godot
Eric Williams and Alex Winter in Waiting for Godot
Zaynn Arora and Alex Winter in Waiting for Godot
Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
Alex Winter and Keaunu Reeves in Waiting for Godot
