BROADWAY SNAP-SHOT
by Russell Bouthiller

Dateline: MAY 10, 2006

AWAKE AND SING!

From the team that brought us last season's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, the Lincoln Center Theatre has launched a revival of one of America's most passionate playwrights, Clifford Odets. Though the activist author may no longer speak to the political issues of the day, his heart is certainly in the right place—make that the left place—in his 1935 work, AWAKE AND SINGS!

Playing at the Belasco Theatre where it premiered some seventy years ago, this production of AWAKE AND SING! succeeds not due to any prescient message that captures the zeitgeist, but because of its strong narrative, stellar ensemble, beautiful set design by Michael Yeargan and precise direction under Bartlett Sher.

Set in the mid 1930s, AWAKE AND SINGS! follows the Berger family who make their life in a crowded Bronx apartment. The mother, Bessie (Zoe Wanamaker), is the controlling force of the household. Carrying the weight of the Depression on her shoulders, she does what she must to keep her family in line and kowtows to no one, save Uncle Morty (Ned Eisenberg) who manages to make money in spite of the times.

Serving as Odets' mouthpiece, Bessie's idealistic father, Jacob (Ben Gazzara), carps a great deal about social injustices while he tries to inspire his impressionable grandson, Ralph (Pablo Schreiber), a man struggle to untangle himself from his mother's apron strings. Myron (Jonathan Hadary) is Bessie's affable husband who gains scant respect due to his lack of station.

Daughter Hennie (Lauren Ambrose) has a problem that will only add to the family. Bessie worries that her situation will ruin her daughter's future, so she finagles a marriage with Sam Feinschrieber (Richard Topol), a recent immigrant in need of a native wife. Neighborhood tough guy, Moe Axelrod (Mark Ruffalo), berates Hennie for allowing this sham arrangement, but later turns a different tact to get the girl.

In such an ensemble piece, the cohesion and rhythm of the actors' is critical to make the work come together. Director Bartlett Sher has done a superior job in allowing the performers to grow within their characters while pulling them together to serve as vital cogs in a well-oiled machine. To each according to his needs; from each to his means.

Lauren Ambrose makes an auspicious Broadway debut, shedding the hip image we know from her turn as Claire in the popular "Six Feet Under" series and becoming an emerging woman from a bygone day. Ben Gazzara brings his dynamic pedigree to Jacob, a man trying to remain inspired by his principles. And, Jonathan Hadary cleverly evokes pity as the kindhearted, yet feckless spouse.

AWAKE AND SINGS! earned a number of Tony Award nominations, including the director and technical categories. Among the onstage talent, Mark Ruffalo, Pablo Schreiber and Zoe Wanamaker earned nods for featured performances, the two young gentlemen making their Broadway debuts. Ruffalo's turn is particularly commendable, given the most colorful character in the play. AWAKE AND SINGS!, a real contender.