“Waiting for Godot” is much like the TV show “Seinfeld,” nothing much happens, but there’s bickering and talking. Unfortunately, there are no Soup Nazis or nagging parental units and no women. Much of what happens is about the relationship between two lowly men on a non-scenic route of life. For those that take pleasure in talk and the possible philosophical conjectures one can draw from the stripped down look at humanity, this “Waiting for Godot”  at the Mark Taper Forum is worth seeing.

Director Michael Arabian adds more comedy and musicality than one usually associates with Samuel Beckett’s 1953 play. Part of this is achieved by the accent a few characters speak in.

The two main characters are downtrodden men, Estragon (Alan Mandell) and Vladimir (Barry McGovern). They are in a barren area that has a rock and a leafless tree. They are waiting and during this time, they make small talk, sing and whine. They also meet a man, Pozzo (James Cromwell who was in Best Picture “The Artist” that came out last year). Pozzo is bombastic and cruel. He has, at the end of a rope, a man named Lucky (Hugo Armstrong). Lucky is Pozzo’s servant although slave would be a better terms.

Estragon and Vladimir have the opportunity to feel superior for compared to Lucky, they are better off. Yet who should we have sympathy for? Pozzo or Lucky? Lucky seems to be an unpleasant man who has given up on life. In the second act, Estragon and Vladimir will meet Pozzo and Lucky again, but Pozzo will be blind.

The play does take on questions of religion and life. If nothing else, the play should give you an opportunity to consider your journey through this world and perhaps, even your marriage (Estragon and Vladimir bicker like an old married couple).

“Waiting for Godot” continues until 22 April 2012 at the Mark Taper Forum.