KVPAC Encore Players to Present WAITING FOR GODOT

KVPAC's Encore Players present Waiting for Godot next month, an award-winning two-act play by Irish writer Samuel Beckett and directed by Morgan Midkiff. Hailed by many as the most significant English language play of the 20th century, Beckett's masterpiece is without a doubt the most prominent work of the 'Theatre of the Absurd,' a dramatic body of work largely defined by the characteristic traits of Godot.

In Waiting for Godot, two wanderers, Vladimir (played by Gregory Magyar) and Estragon (played by Andy Midkiff) wait by a lonely tree, to meet up with Mr. Godot, who they hope will change their lives for the better. While they wait, another couple of eccentric travelers arrive. Pozzo (played by Frank Mena) is on his way to the market to sell his slave, Lucky (played by Mark Redd). The results are both funny and dangerous. The cast rounds out with the entrance of the Boy (played by Nick Harrison), who reveals a message from Godot.

"I was thrilled to be asked to direct Godot," says Midkiff, directing her fourth Encore Players production since 2011. "It is one of those shows that almost everyone wants the opportunity to direct, and I have loved every moment working on this show. The cast is so strong and intelligent, and they really bring these characters to life in a very entertaining and profound way. The ending is so touching, I think audiences will really come away feeling like they have been through something profound with Vladimir and Estragon. I can't wait for the community to see this performance!"

Waiting for Godot explores themes of existentialist philosophy and is mind-meltingly deep. It was a revolutionary work in 1949 for what it lacked: real plot, discernable character development and any sort of adherence to dramatic traditions. The amount of criticism spawned by Godot over the years is staggering and revolves both around the play's literary merits and its value as a philosophical work. In 1969, Beckett was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his extreme contributions to drama and literature.

Waiting for Godot performs on July 15 & 16 at 8:00pm and July 17 at 2:00pm at The Magyar Main Theatre at KVPAC, 2501 S Mason Rd., Ste #290, Katy, TX 77450. For Katy Audience members who seek an evening at the theater, they can look to Encore Players as a source to enjoy the theater in their own hometown without the long commute or high cost involved with heading to one of downtown Houston's theaters. Join us for an entire season of entertaining and award-winning theatrical productions featuring Evil Dead, The Musical, The 39 Steps, On the Verge; or, The Geography of Yearning, The Gingerbread Lady,and Empowered: How One Girl Scout Nearly Destroyed the World's Economy. Tickets are only $18. Senior, student & group rates are also available. For further information or to purchase advance tickets on-line, visit www.kvpac.org.

Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) is a non-profit arts education organization helping artists find their light since 2001. KVPAC proudly provides innovative and dynamic art programs like Encore Players through generous funding from our community. Consider becoming an Encore Players Patron today and proudly support the Arts!

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