Awake and Sing!

Awake and Sing! is a landmark American drama by Clifford Odets that premiered in 1935 during the Great Depression. The play follows the Berger family, a working-class Jewish household living in the Bronx, as they struggle with financial hardship, generational conflict, and dreams of a better future. Widely regarded as one of the defining works of 20th-century American theater, it helped establish Odets as a major voice of social realism.

Original Production

The play was first produced by the legendary Group Theatre, an influential company known for creating socially conscious dramas. Its honest portrayal of everyday people facing economic and personal challenges resonated strongly with audiences of the era.

Broadway Legacy

Over the decades, Awake and Sing! has been revived several times on Broadway, introducing new generations to its powerful themes. The most acclaimed recent revival opened in 2006 and earned the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, reaffirming the work's status as an American classic. The planned 2027 Broadway revival continues that enduring legacy.