(For reference for those unfamiliar with existentialism, it is a philosophy dedicated to the belief that the world is inherently meaningless, signifying the free will of humans and their ability to create their own forms of individual meaning.) Existentialist literature and philosophy have played a strong influence in the past few years of my life, so I was eager to see what Pale Fire had to offer in their production. I’m a fan of author Samuel Beckett’s other works, such as Endgame, also an existentialist tragicomedy. However, I was always at a standstill, thinking should I read the script first, or watch the play? After coming across the play’s flyers posted around campus, I immediately bought tickets for the opening night. I’ve been wanting to read the script of Waiting for Godot for a long time. Later on, a messenger of Godot enters, declaring that while Godot is not coming that night, he will come the following. Pozzo and Lucky provide momentary entertainment for Didi and Gogo, driven immensely irritable due to their constant unrelinquished boredom. The play includes appearances by passerby Pozzo and his servant Lucky, who he treats in an abusive, domineering manner. Two friends, Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), discuss their bleak lives and uncertain futures, believing that all their issues will be resolved once an unseen character, Godot, arrives. Waiting for Godot is a two-act play that takes place in a barren, post-apocalyptic country landscape. Waiting for Godot is Pale Fire’s second production and their first to take place in New York City. It was founded in 2019 by Shayan Hooshmand (CC ’23) and Henry Alper (Atlantic Acting School, NYU Tisch) in Palo Alto, California where a production of Hamlet was held. Pale Fire Theater aims to provide artists the opportunity to put on theater productions while maintaining artistic liberty, creative expression, and art experimentation. Pale Fire Theater is organized independently of the University, but is composed mostly of Columbia and NYU students. On Thursday, December 8, I attended the opening night of Pale Fire Theater’s production of Waiting for Godot, the first of two more performances on December 9 and 10 at 7:30pm. This weekend, Pale Fire Theater presents a simultaneously hilarious and depressing play rife with impressive performances and directing.
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