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• Amy Morton's production of "Awake and Sing" at the Northlight Theatre is timeless

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The current production of "Awake and Sing" at the Northlight Theatre in north suburban Skokie is as much about a reexamination of playwright Clifford Odets as anything else. How does such a once-dominant writer fade with time, and why? Amy Morton's stirring and realistic production just may send producers and directors back to his scripts for a second look.

Clifford Odets (1906—1963) was a dominant force in the American theater in the 1930's and 1940's. His theatrical successes even went into the 1950's with "The Country Girl." He was a force as a Hollywood screenwriter and later worked on television scripts. He helped found the Group Theatre and was considered the equal of Eugene O'Neill and Maxwell Anderson as a dramatist. Today he is footnote to the writings of the proletarian theater of the 1930's and occasional revivals of his plays appear. Diminished, but hardly forgotten, the occasional revival of quality reminds us just how good a writer he was. His dialogue crackles with energy and it is as realistic as it is powerful. Yet, for years, his work was considered dated and irrelevant.

Amy Morton's outstanding production of "Awake and Sing" from 1935 puts this play in a dramatic context that is timeless. It rings true today as it did during the depths of the Great Depression because its basic human values and struggles are timeless. Ms. Morton's infuses this fine ensemble with that same energy she gave her production of the Steppenwolf's "American Buffalo" (see my review of Dec. 25), and energizes much the conflict with overlapping dialogue. She avoids casting with glamorous actors and her ensemble looks as real as it performs. As you experience this production you feel you are eavesdropping on the lives of this struggling lower class New York Jewish family.

Perhaps, that is the magic of this play. This family could be anyone, anywhere, and Amy Morton's direction makes you feel it just might be some people you know. "Awake and Sing" continues at the Northlight in Skokie until Feb. 28.

The Northlight is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd., just south of Old Orchard.

For further information contact: www.northlight.org, or call--847-673-6300.