Odyssey Opera and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) will present the East Coast premiere of Tobias Picker and Aryeh Lev Stollman’s “Awakenings” on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 7:30 p.m, at Boston’s Huntington Theatre.

“Awakenings” is the  Theatre’s first opera since it reopened.

Jarrett Porter plays Dr. Oliver Sacks, with Joyce El-Khoury, and Adrienne Danrich in the ensemble. As part of its 25th anniversary season, the BMOP orchestra and the Odyssey Opera chorus will join them.

Grammy-winning conductor Gil Rose paces the James Robinson-directed production based on Oliver Sacks’ 1973 best-seller. Sacks garnered global fame for reviving “sleeping sickness” survivors with the drug L-DOPA. The story takes place at a Bronx hospital from 1966 to the end of 1969.

“I am sure this opera will resonate with audience members in many different ways. Its themes range from the role science and medicine plays in our lives to living your truth,” said Gil Rose, artistic director and conductor of both Odyssey Opera and BMOP in an official statement. “The current pandemic that we are all still living through adds another layer of meaning onto this opera. Ultimately, this is a story about reflection, hope, re-awakenings, and love.”

Picker bought the stage rights 25 years ago, saying Sacks “freed” him from the shame he felt over his Tourette’s Syndrome.

In 2015, Sacks came out as gay months before his death at 82, and for the first time, Picker and Stollman accurately portray Sacks’ sexuality.

“Awakenings” had its world premiere at Opera Theatre St. Louis in June 2022 after a two-year Covid delay.