“When! When! One day, is that not enough for you, one day he went dumb, one day I went blind, one day we’ll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second, is that not enough for you?”

Day after day, Vladimir and Estragon (or Didi and Gogo, as they call each other) wait for Godot by the side of the road. They can’t say how long it’s been, or even why they should stay, except that Godot expects to see them… eventually.

Having long ago exhausted the limits of meaningful conversation, Didi and Gogo cling to any diversion that might pass the time. They bicker, they philosophize, they contemplate suicide. But ultimately, it never goes anywhere—because they can’t go anywhere. They’re waiting.

Student director Staci Mize-Leve fights Godot’s reputation as “a play where nothing happens.” Taking advantage of her actors’ dance experience, she keeps Didi and Gogo moving. Their precise choreography bolsters Beckett’s humor. I’ve never heard an audience laugh so much in Act 2.

Holly Seidcheck offers a distinct take on Gogo: grumpy, restless, borderline feral. Meanwhile, Jareth Spirio brings a classic, Chaplin-esque dignity to Didi. They make good work of the contrast, functioning like a comedy double act.

As night falls, with no sign of Godot, the two friends struggle to find any point to life. They can only hope that tomorrow will be different.

Additional Notes:

Eleanor Sturt encapsulates pure Beckett in Lucky’s monologue, steadily sputtering nonsense until it builds to dreadful prophecy. Her character haunts the stage, accentuated by Angie Ainsworth’s stark makeup design.

Tickets are only available at the door, so show up EARLY. They had a full house by 7:35 on opening night.

“Waiting for Godot” contains harsh language and existentialism. Not recommended for children.

UCCS Theatre Company at
Osborne Studio Theatre, University Hall
1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy

Playing September 29 – October 8, 2017
Admission: $5 general; UCCS students free
Running Time: 2 hours