Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Off-Broadway revivals from the deep chest of American drama: Clifford Odets’ AWAKE AND SING! and John Patrick Shanley’s ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION

• By drediman
• October 22, 2025
• No Comments

Over the last week or so, I had the opportunity to take in a pair of well-acted Off-Broadway revivals of New York-set plays from the deep chest of American drama. As per usual, read on for my thoughts.

AWAKE AND SING!
Sea Dog Theater
Through November 8

First up is Sea Dog Theater’s 90th anniversary Off-Broadway revival of Clifford Odets’ classic 1935 play Awake and Sing! (RECOMMENDED). Set in the Bronx during the Great Depeession, the play depicts the frustrations and travails of a financial-strapped family as they struggle to keep afloat in a world that seems determined to keep them down. Although typically staged in a naturalistic manner — complete with a claustrophobic, lived-in apartment set — director Erwin Maas has instead chosen to strip the play down to its bare essentials, keeping in line with the approach currently en vogue with trendy directors like Jamie Lloyd. Maas has sped up the dialogue, creating a punchy cadence that vigorously pops from the stage. Although not all of the directorial ideas land successfully — the decision to monitor the characters via surveillance cameras when they’re offstage works better on paper than it does in practice — and the acoustics of the church-like venue are less than ideal, the net result is nevertheless an emotionally heightened staging that separates the material from its setting, thereby imbuing the well-worn play with a timeless quality more akin to to Greek drama than your typical kitchen sink drama. Suffice to say, Sea Dog’s charged revival is potently acted by an ensemble cast — particularly compelling is Trevor McGhie, who gives an urgent and deeply-felt performance in the central role of Ralph, arguably the conscience of the play — that’s fully invested in the their respective characters and the play’s message.

ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION
The Flea Theater (Presented by Zowie Productions)
Through October 26

Then over at The Siggy space at The Flea, there’s a rare revival of Italian American Reconciliation (RECOMMENDED) by veteran playwright John Patrick Shanley (a Tony-winner in 2005 for his oft-staged play Doubt). A clear companion piece to Shanley’s Academy Award-winning film Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicholas Cage, the 1988 work — which is set in New York’s fabled Little Italy neighborhood — tells the story of Huey, a passionate Italian American man who, with the help of his best friend Aldo, attempts to win back his equally passionate ex-wife Janice. Shanley amusingly plays up Italian American stereotypes while giving the piece a parable-like “once upon a time” quality — thematically exploring the universal notion of manhood and masculinity — aspects that have kept the play relevant and safe from becoming outdated. Director Austin Pendleton understands the beats and rhythms of the play, staging a smooth, vivaciously acted production that goes down easily. As Huey, the chameleonic Wade McCollum gives a full throttle performance that effectively conveys the various layers of the character’s knotted psyche. Acting as the play’s narrator is Aldo, who is played with ample personality and winning charisma by Robert Farrior. Also noteworthy are an imperious Linda Manning as the tempestuous, gun-wielding Janice and the great Mary Testa — in a winningly measured performance — as the play’s practical voice of reason.