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.
