32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY NOVEMBER 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com ONSTAGE Waiting for Godot is especially interesting in our times, argues poet, actor and now director Brian Sheffield. People do really seem to be spending their time waiting for something. Originally written in French and first shown in Paris, Samuel Beckett’s most famous play is featured in Monterey County by Enchantrix Theatre, a perfect fit given the group’s history and its insistence on experimentation and fluidity. In this case, the audience can choose between as many as five locations. Outdoors on the former Fort Ord grounds in Seaside is the stage for three performances, but the play also moves to indoor locations in Seaside and Pacific Grove. The run finishes outside again, in Big Sur. Beckett is the child of James Joyce. And if Ulysses destroyed the novel, it was Waiting for Godot that broke traditional theater, stripping down the plot, characters, setting and the illusion of space and time. What’s left is an existence, in all its malaise. The two main characters of the play—Vladimir (Cody Moore) and Estragon (Pervert Rat—a stage name) just carry themselves through the routine of the day. It’s their relationship that is at the core of the play. “It’s the weirdest celebration of friendship ever written,” says Rat, who makes for a great Estragon—lamenting, over and over, the absence of goals in their actions. “We will wait for Godot,” Vladimir emphasizes, never able to articulate that these words have any meaning. Each time Vladimir mentions Godot, Estragon moans with pain. “But I can’t go like this,” he says, to which Vladimir offers him a radish or a turnip. Sheffield likes to see Vladimir as Albert Camus, angry but optimistic, and Estragon as time-obsessed and more pessimistic Jean-Paul Sartre, setting the play right in the middle of existentialism and its debates. “The best description of the play I heard is it’s about two friends whistling together in the darkness,” says Sean Aten, who did set design for the play. “We are swimming in deep water, but the meaning doesn’t stick.” Moore, who played Joseph Merrick in Enchantrix’s 2024 production of The Elephant Man, shines again on stage. Sheffield doubles as Lucky, and Marcus Edwards plays Pozzo. Waiting for Godot runs Saturday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 22. Various times; various locations. Pay what you can. enchantrix.net. DANIEL DREIFUSS Just Wait Enchantrix Theater will be expecting Godot in five different places in Monterey County. By Agata Popęda Cody Moore, left, as Vladimir and Pervert Rat as Estragon rehearse the second act of Waiting for Godot at Fort Ord in Seaside, one of its outdoor venues from Nov. 7-22. Eat + Drink INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT ’26 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 ’26 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com Best Steak House & Best Restaurant Over 10 years old Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25-’26 WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’26 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 8am–12 Noon 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’26 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove
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