Awake and Sing!

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.