Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

3 questions for Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, stars of 'Waiting For Godot' on Broadway


By

Alison Stewart

Published Nov 18, 2025


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter in "Waiting For Godot"

Andy Henderson


By

Alison Stewart

Published Nov 18, 2025


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, also known as Bill and Ted (respectively), are now appearing on Broadway as a new duo, in Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot" as Vladimir and Estragon (respectively).

The two longtime friends spoke with "All of It" host Alison Stewart about their work on the play. An excerpt of their conversation is transcribed below, and the full interview can be heard here.

Alison Stewart: Why did you spend so much time researching your roles for "Waiting for Godot?"

Alex Winter: We had the time, which is so rare in our industry, unfortunately now. Keanu had brought this idea to me almost four years ago, and then he and I embarked on it. I make documentaries. I'm a research fanatic. We had time, so we used it. It was to our benefit. We took clowning classes, we took Butoh dance classes. We did a lot of prep, and we met when we could and did script analysis with the play every few weeks in the lead up.

What did Keanu learn about the theater community, seeing as it is his Broadway debut?

Keanu Reeves: It's almost like the culture stays the same and us artists who come to these theaters pop in and out. It's like we're the new show, but this culture is existing there. They've all worked with each other. They all speak to each other, all of the various theaters, production companies. It's very strong. It's very present. I think I couldn't have known that without actually being in it.

What does your long-lasting friendship bring to this project?

Reeves: We had a trust and confidence in our art practice through our friendship. We've maintained a friendship over 30-some-odd years. I think we've collaborated and worked together over that time, and so I thought it brought a joy to the research, it brought a shorthand and it really just reaffirmed our simpatico aspects to the artistic endeavor.

Winter: What's been fun for me, and I wouldn't say surprising, but I am grateful for it, is that it's a challenging play and you're never done doing it. Every day you do it is different and challenging for all of us, for Brandon Durden, Michael Patrick Thornton, who are amazing for all of us. Because Keanu and I have known each other so long and know each other so well and have worked together performatively as well as have a friendship, it's helpful because we'll come off stage sometimes and have an idea.

We're just constantly always thinking, but we're thinking in somewhat of a unified way. Not all the time. Sometimes it's something I need to do or he needs to do or whatever. I know that I trust him and vice versa. Our brains are always thinking on how to make those things work. That is informed by the length and the history of the relationship.

Tickets for the play, at the Hudson Theatre are on sale now. "Godot" runs through Jan. 6.

Tagged

manhandling

theater


Alison Stewart

TwitterInstagram

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.

A new film focuses on the strange career of a location scout in New York City.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Sep 26, 2026


There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.

See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.

By

Hannah Frishberg

Arts & Entertainment

There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.

See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.

By

Hannah Frishberg


A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.

By

Hannah Frishberg

How a Harry Styles pop-up in the East Village led to a nearby bookstore owner's arrest

By

Sonia Rao

NYC’s creative workers are increasingly self-employed, report says

By

Hannah Frishberg


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .