Awake and Sing! by Clifford Odets

Presented by Sea Dog Theater

Awake and Sing! by Clifford Odets is a 1935 drama set in the Bronx during the Great Depression, centering on the working-class Berger family. The play follows three generations struggling with economic hardship, unfulfilled dreams, and the tension between idealism and survival. At its heart is Bessie Berger, the domineering mother who prioritizes financial security over her children's aspirations, particularly her son Ralph, who longs for independence, and her daughter Hennie, trapped in a loveless marriage. The play captures the desperation and resilience of ordinary people trying to find dignity in a harsh world.

Running time approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. No late seating is available. If you have to leave the theater during a performance, re-entry is not available.

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TICKET PRICING

Premium Seating: $75

General Seating: $55

General Seating (Senior 65+ w/ ID): $35 

General Seating (Student w/ ID): $25

To purchase a group of 8+ tickets, please contact boxoffice@seadogtheater.org

Our venue is ADA compliant. Please detail specific accommodation needs at check-out and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

**NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES**

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THE TEAM

Erwin Maas - Director
Guy De Lancey - Production Designer
Hanxiao Zhang - Costume Designer
Fan Zhang - Sound Designer

THE CAST

Juan Carlos Diaz * - Myron
Christopher J. Domig * - Moe
Alfred Kemp * - Morty
Trevor McGhie * - Ralph
Sina Pooresmaeil * - Sam
Gary Sloan * - Jacob
Debra Walton * - Bessie
Daisy Wang - Hennie

* Indicates member of Actors' Equity Association

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Sea Dog Theater is dedicated to producing intimate, thought-provoking works that engage with urgent social issues and explore the complexities of faith, hope, and human resilience. Awake and Sing! aligns seamlessly with this mission, offering a raw and deeply human portrayal of economic struggle and generational conflict. Odets’ play challenges audiences to wrestle with themes of survival, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dignity—questions that remain as pressing today as they were during the Great Depression.

By staging works like Awake and Sing!, Sea Dog Theater fosters conversation around economic inequality, housing insecurity, and the pressures of the American Dream. The play’s emphasis on collective action and the power of resilience speaks to Sea Dog’s commitment to stories that inspire empathy and social engagement. Just as Odets sought to give voice to the marginalized, Sea Dog Theater continues to bring to life narratives that highlight the struggles and hopes of those too often overlooked in our society.