Tarragon Theatre – Brendan Gall’s Alias Godot

by Paula Citron.
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Alias Godot
Tarragon Theatre
Written by Brendan Gall
Directed by Richard Rose
Starring David Ferry, Paul Braunstein, Alon Nashman, Tony Nappo and Geoffrey Pounsett
At Tarragon Theatre until Jun. 1
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Brendan Gall has written a very clever play in Alias Godot. For those familiar with the Beckett original Gall’s premise is – what if Godot was actually going to meet Didi and Gogo, but got held up? It gives nothing away to say that Godot is delayed because he’s arrested by two New York cops. In fact, the relationship between Edward and Vincent mirrors Didi and Gogo, as do their undercover colleagues – Rocko and Linus – mirror Lucky and Pozzo.

There are some very funny lines, particularly the existential commentary from Alon Nashman as Godot, and outstanding performances all round from David Ferry and Paul Braunstein as the cops, Tony Nappo and Geoffrey Pounsett as the terrorist squad, and Nashman. Richard Rose has directed with energy.

Even though I enjoyed the play, I have to say that after a time the cleverness did seem like a one trick pony.

Alias Godot continues at Tarragon Theatre until Jun. 1.