Well the Missus and I trundled down to the Huntington Theater last night to catch its new production of Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing! and say, it was . . . swellish.

Let’s start with the blurb the Huntington is using:

“Feels so timely it might have been written yesterday.”
— Chicago Sun-Times

Yeah – except, actually, it feels so creaky, it might have been written in 1935.

Which it was.

Huntington website description:

In a cramped Bronx apartment, a working-class Jewish family dreams of a brighter future. Matriarch Bessie Berger’s fierce determination keeps her family afloat, whatever the cost. Gritty, passionate, funny, and heartbreaking, Odets’ 1935 masterpiece beautifully captures both the hopes and the struggles of an unforgettable American family.

Huntington artistic director Peter DuBois’ description:

Our description:

The cast was compelling, especially Will LeBow as a defiant Jacob, Lori Wilner as a dominant Bessie, David Wohl as a defeated Myron, and Nael Nacer as a dumped Sam.

But the play itself has held up like a tissue in a tsunami.

Regardless, it’s well worth seeing (through December 7).

Campaign Outsider Flashback:

Our review of Odets’ classic Golden Boy Broadway revival two years ago is here.

Favorite clip, featuring the great Tony Shaloub: