Jim Beaver as Perce and J. Downing as Elvin. Photo by Garry Kluger
The Night Forlorn (Or, Waitin’ On Godsford), is a must-see new production well-written by Steve Nevil and well-directed by Arden Teresa Lewis. The well-paced fast-moving 80-minute play is performed without an intermission on a cool set designed by co-star J. Downing. Something funny and kind of strange is happening on the prairie…
The Night Forlorn re-imagines Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot as a Western where two none-too-bright cowpokes–Jim Beaver as Percy and J. Downing as Elvin–await their leader, Godsford. Both leads skillfully portray very authentic Western characters. The first-rate cast playing other tumbleweed characters includes Tom Allard as Godsford, Leslie Caveny as Patsy, June Schreiner as Tag and Robert W. Laur as John.
This comedic journey mixes vaudeville turns with Beckett’s absurdism while remaining a unique homage to the elegiac westerns of John Ford and Sam Peckinpah. Cool lighting design by Yancey Dunham, produced for Theatre West by Linda Rand and
David Mingrino. This quality production was made possible, in part from a grant from the Kaplan-Loring Foundation. The late Marvin Kaplan was a busy and successful character actor and writer who loved Theatre West. I’m sure would approve of this fun and creative venture.
The show is now playing at Theatre West on Cahuenga. General seating is $25 with discounts for seniors and students. Visit the website or call 323 851 4839. The Night Forlorn (or, Waiting On Godsford) plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2pm until April 22.
