By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – At The Vortex Theatre, the road to Godot looks a little different this time around.
The theatre’s newest production of Waiting for Godot, directed by Lauren Albonico, reimagines Samuel Beckett’s classic absurdist play in a contemporary setting while honoring the production’s deep connection to the Vortex’s history.
Waiting for Godot follows two men, Didi and Gogo, as they wait endlessly for the mysterious Godot, someone they believe will give them direction or salvation. While the play is often viewed as bleak or nihilistic, Albonico explains that her interpretation moves in a different direction.
Parker Owen as Vladimir (right) (Photo by Broken Chain Photography)
“I do not see it as a piece of nihilism,” says Albonico. “A lot of people do. I personally do not.”
Instead, Albonico says that she approached the production by searching for “all the hope and all the life is meaningful, life is beautiful.”
The production also carries special significance for the Vortex itself. The theatre originally opened in 1976 with a production of Waiting for Godot, and the play has returned roughly every 15 years since. This year’s staging is part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary season.
“Waiting for Godot is probably the most important show for the Vortex’s history,” says Albonico.
Past productions were directed by David Jones, one of the Vortex’s founding members. Albonico explains that this marks the first time the play has been directed by someone outside that original generation.
“This is the first time it’s been done by someone who’s not David Jones, so it’s like a new era for the theatre as we’re moving into a new generation and looking forward to the next 50 years,” says Albonico.
Albonico, who has directed with the Vortex for about 15 years, describes the play as the hardest show she has ever directed because of how open it is to interpretation. “There’s not a structural narrative,” says Albonico.
Albonico also notes the play’s massive influence on modern comedy and storytelling, even comparing its “nothing happens” structure to shows like ‘Seinfeld.’
While many productions place Didi and Gogo in a vague post-apocalyptic landscape, the Vortex version brings the story into a recognizable modern environment.
“Ours is set on a median on a street with a street lamp and with contemporary clothes for Didi and Gogo,” says Albonico. “Our tramps, Didi and Gogo, they look like contemporary unhoused people.”
That setting also inspired the theatre’s decision to collect donations for unhoused community members during the run of the show. Audience members are encouraged to donate toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, women’s sanitary products, blankets and food.
“For me, this play is definitely not some sort of political statement in regards to unhoused people,” says Albonico. “But what it can help do is bring attention to the plight of unhoused people.”
Despite the heavy themes often associated with Beckett’s work, Albonico said her biggest hope is that audiences leave feeling something different.
“My major hope is that this production will be the most hopeful version of Godot that people have experienced yet,” says Albonico.Waiting for Godot runs May 29 through June 21 at the Vortex Theatre (2900 Carlisle Blvd NE). The production includes a Pay-What-You-Will performance on May 31 and a talkback with the cast and director on June 7. More information and tickets are available through The Vortex Theatre website (vortexabq.org).
If you go…
Waiting for Godot
- May 20 through June 21, showtimes vary
- The Vortex Theatre (2900 Carlisle Blvd NE)
- Tickets available for purchase at vortexabq.org