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Keanu Reeves
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| Franklin Bongjio (Understudy, Estragon/Pozzo) |
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter to Star in Jamie Lloyd’s New Broadway Production of “Waiting for Godot”
Brandon J. Dirden Joins the Cast as ‘Pozzo’; Full Creative Team Announced
The complete cast and design team have been announced for a highly anticipated new Broadway production of Waiting for Godot, directed and produced by Jamie Lloyd, with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter set to star.
The revival of Samuel Beckett’s modernist classic will open at the Hudson Theatre on September 28, following previews that begin September 13. The production marks a major return to the stage for Reeves, who will take on the role of Estragon opposite longtime collaborator Winter as Vladimir.
OBIE Award winner Brandon J. Dirden will play the role of Pozzo. A veteran of Broadway and Off-Broadway, Dirden is known for standout performances in Take Me Out, Skeleton Crew, All the Way, and August Wilson’s Jitney. His portrayal of Boy Willie in The Piano Lesson remains one of his most lauded turns on the New York stage. On television, Dirden is recognized for his role as Agent Dennis Aderholt in The Americans and will appear in the upcoming season of Katori Hall’s P-Valley.
Michael Patrick Thornton, previously announced as Lucky, will be joined by Zaynn Arora and Eric Williams, who will alternate in the role of the Boy. Understudies for the production include Jesse Aaronson and Franklin Bongjio.
The creative team reunites frequent Jamie Lloyd collaborators. Soutra Gilmour, an Evening Standard Award winner and Tony nominee, will handle set and costume design. Lighting is by two-time Tony winner Jon Clark (The Lehman Trilogy, Stranger Things: The First Shadow), and sound design is by the acclaimed duo Ben and Max Ringham (Prima Facie, Cyrano). Cheryl Thomas, known for her work on Sunset Blvd. and The Lion King, will design hair and makeup. Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Liz Fraser.
The production team includes associate director Conner Wilson; associate scenic designers Grace Laubacher, Lily Tomasic, and Wilson Chin; co-associate costume designers Ricky Lurie and Jess Gersz; associate lighting designer Jessica Creager; associate sound designer Christopher Cronin; and stage manager Veronica Lee. Johnny Milani serves as the production stage manager.
Produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company, ATG Productions, Bad Robot Live, and Gavin Kalin Productions, with general management by 101 Productions, Ltd., the production is scheduled to run through January 4, 2026. Tickets are on sale now at www.godotbroadway.com.
First performed in French in 1953, Waiting for Godot has long been regarded as one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Its impact spans far beyond theater, influencing artists across visual art, music, dance, television, and more. In a 2009 review, New York Times critic Ben Brantley described the play as “entertainment of a high order.”
Cast Biographies
Brandon J. Dirden (Pozzo) has appeared on Broadway in Take Me Out, Skeleton Crew (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations), All the Way opposite Bryan Cranston, and Jitney. Additional credits include Clybourne Park, Enron, and Prelude to a Kiss. Off-Broadway: The Piano Lesson (OBIE, Theatre World, AUDELCO Awards), Detroit ’67, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Julius Caesar. Television: The Americans, P-Valley, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Manifest, among others. Dirden is also a director, educator, and member of Actors’ Equity, SAG-AFTRA, and SDC. He holds a B.A. from Morehouse College and an M.F.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Zaynn Arora (A Boy at select performances) makes his Broadway debut with Godot. National tour credits include Peter Pan. He has appeared in Nickelodeon’s Wonder Pets and numerous national commercials.
Eric Williams (A Boy at select performances) recently appeared on Broadway as Little Michael in MJ The Musical. Other credits include Gypsy and A Soulful Christmas.
Jesse Aaronson (Understudy, Vladimir/Lucky) appeared in Broadway’s Leopoldstadt and Off-Broadway in The Play That Goes Wrong. A University of Michigan graduate.
Franklin Bongjio (Understudy, Estragon/Pozzo) has worked on Broadway in A Doll’s House, A Soldier's Play, and The Pirates of Penzance (Reading). He is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College.
Creative Team Highlights
Soutra Gilmour (Set and Costume Design) has worked extensively with The Jamie Lloyd Company, with credits including Evita, A Doll’s House, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Betrayal. Her designs have been seen across the West End, Broadway, National Theatre, and internationally.
Jon Clark (Lighting Design) is a leading figure in theatrical lighting with two Tony Awards. Recent credits include Stranger Things: The First Shadow, The Lehman Trilogy, and The Inheritance.
Ben and Max Ringham (Sound Design) are multi-award-winning composers and designers whose work includes Prima Facie, A Doll’s House, and Blindness.
Cheryl Thomas (Hair and Makeup Design) has worked on Some Like It Hot, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins (U.S. tour). She is a member of IATSE Local 798 and 706.
Waiting for Godot
Previews begin: September 13, 2025
Opening Night: September 28, 2025
Closing: January 4, 2026
Venue: Hudson Theatre, 141 West 44th Street, NYC
Tickets: www.godotbroadway.com
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