It was finally time to put my ETC subscription to work as I headed downtown to see the first preview of 'SWEAT,' a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Lynn Nottage, author of 'Ruined' and 'Clyde's.' Suffice to say, we all knew Nottage was an incredible writer from her first Pulizter Prize-winning play, 'RUINED.' And we'll get more into her writing in a bit, but before anything I want to say--this show was incredible.
Right from the start, the audience was jolted into their seats--not quite a 4D experience, but pretty close. The punk music of the early 2000s blare as we see the setting projected onto the set before the lights come up. The show follows industrial workers at a steel mill in Reading, PA as they encounter the difficulties of the working class, especially during the tumultuous economy of the time. When one worker gets a promotion, the workers are pitted against each other in a battle of survival and community.
Back to Nottage, you can tell she spent years interviewing real steel workers in the real Reading because the words pour off of the stage like you were overhearing a conversation at a pub. That is to say, the show is set in a bar in Reading, so it is very appropriate. She balances the humorous dread of life with the times when the hammer comes swinging with such delicate ease, and, though the ending was not a huge shock, there's something symbolic about it. It feels as if the entire show was the work, and the result--the sweat of it-- comes exploding out at the end.
The cast really embodied the characters well and created great cast chemistry which elevated the intimacy of the show. The main trio of women, Cynthia (played by Burgess Byrd), Tracey (played by Mookie Girten) and Jessie (played by Denise Dal Vera) were the soul of the show. Their relationships really stuck with me, as they transcended race in a place normally thought to be Trump-zone. But in this day and age, America isn't quite as divided. Nottage takes us back to give way to perhaps why Trump was so able to fear-monger those out of work. The trio had great chemistry and this script was intentional in addressing the challenges facing minorities just as much as industrial workers--and, for some, like Byrd's character, both groups.
The show also featured an array of supporting characters, most notably Stan (played by Allen Middleton), the bar owner and moral compass of the story. He gave off the perfect energy as the good-hearted, slightly horny bar owner we all know. Also interesting was the dynamic between Jason (played by Charlie Cromer) and Evan (played by Derek J. Snow), the sons of Cynthia and Tracey, whose incident spurs a new level of plot. But it was Oscar (played by Ollie Corchado) that intrigued, as what one would assume to be a background character. As the show progresses, he airs his grievances instead of confining himself to the background--and, as I discussed, as he is Latino, he faces a good deal of the brunt when the jobs go away, which gives way to the show's climax.
The scenic, lighting and sound design complimented each other to create sleek transitions and ambiance-setting, and the costumes were everyone's favorite early 2000s trend. The show combined on all fronts to give the audience a performance, but also something to chew on. For me, it was just how much more divided we have become since that time, largely due to the economy's downturn and politicians stoking the fire. Nottage addresses this without being too in your face, and leaves you to pick up the pieces at the end, much like our characters.
'SWEAT' is running at the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati from now until October 9, and even features the following:
Audio-described performance--Thursday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.
ASL-interpreted performance--Wednesday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Relaxed performance--Saturday, October 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Be sure to check out this historic production in our very own Queen City before the season continues! And be sure to follow along with my eyes and ears on TikTok @noahgoestothetheater for more content! See you at the theater!
Check out my low-quality video of bows above! (don't worry, it's much cleaner on TikTok!)
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