Waiting For Godot

This is a classic play by Samuel Beckett, originally written in 1949.  There have been many plays and movies since.  This is described as absurdist play about 2 men, Vladimir and Estragon, who for the entire play is waiting for a man called Godot. 

There is no reason why.  But each day at the same time and same place atop a hill next to a tree, they converse while waiting for Godot.  Most of the play is about the two characters who seem to be down on their luck or even called hobos.  The set is stark.  So why is something so simple and unassuming, be so popular?

There are many interpretations indicating there are political and philosophical meanings behind the simple concept of the play.  I am a simple person and did not get into the possible deep meanings behind their conversation, which at times, made no sense. I was mesmerized because it was so thought provoking.  Without any music, action, sex or silliness, it stood on it’s own because of the dialog. 

I enjoyed it thoroughly and there is actually a Youtube performance to see again and again.   Here is also a summary of the plot on Wikipedia. 

American Idiot

American Idiot takes the music from the band Green Day and turns it into a musical.  This isn’t the happy go lucky, feel good kind of musical.  It is angry and sad as 3 young men try to figure out their lives in the midst of suburbia. To me, they were spoiled brats who have everything, compared to the rest of the world.  Yet they drown themselves in video games, TV, drugs, and rock and roll.  I didn’t have a connection to their plight. 

One guy turns more to love and drugs but then he discovers his girlfriend gets pregnant and he is resistant to marriage and children.  The second guy joins the military and winds up wounded in the Middle East.  His story was interesting as he is drugged up in the hospital, he hallucinates making love with the nurse.  The bedding, the guy and the nurse are elevated by wires so they are floating above the stage, making love.  The 3^rd guy continues his downward spiral with drugs and takes a menial job that he hates.

There is hope at the end of the show as they finally accept their circumstances and begin their growth as adults.  But to me, the music was too loud and angry.  It isn’t quite the rock and roll I grew up with and more hard edged.  But the audience loved it.  The audience was younger and they seemed to be familiar with the songs.