Recorded excerpts from radio “news of the day” set the two time zones: 2000 and 2008 in a bar in the factory town of Reading, Pennsylvania, reminding us of the recent historic context in which these characters struggle to hold on to their living standards, friendships and dreams despite layoffs and union-busting. This is a multi-faceted tale with Rose Jangmi Cooper dramatically caught between being “them” and “us” after receiving a promotion. What is “right” and/or possible is not clear.
Rose and Maureen Sawdon are factory-worker mothers of factory-worker sons Lekeathon Wilson and Connor Kelly, young friends swept into a tragic act of violence. (Kudos to Matthew Kowakcyzk, MSU BFA Acting senior who choreographed this fight with disturbing effectiveness.) Connor brings an insistent intensity, and Lekeathon breaks our hearts but gives us hope.
Madeline Nash is the sometimes volatile drunk between naps on a roll of paper towels. Bartender Scott Pohl left the factory after an injury and now serves as a wise father figure. Eddie Heldt is an intense and affecting hispanic bus-boy who complicates the situation by crossing picket lines. Julian Van Dyke does an impressive turn in two extremely different roles.
Author, Lynn Nottage was the first woman to win two Pulitzer Prizes for drama. Here's an interview with her shortly after Sweat opened on Broadway, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29IDonPwwdY
Sweat is Generously Underwritten by “Our Daily Work / Our Daily Lives,” a cooperative project arising out of the common interest of the Michigan Traditional Arts Program (MSU Museum) and the Labor Education Program (MSU School of Human Resources and Labor Relations) with the cultural expressions of workers and workplaces as locations within which workers culture is produced and enacted. “Our Daily Work/Our Daily Lives” explores and presents the richness and diversity of worker experience and workers culture through an ongoing program of exhibits, lectures and presentations; writing and research projects; and reunions, dialogues, demonstrations and discussions.
Riverwalk's Promotions and Engagement Committee has partnered with a local UAW office and is DONATIONS TO THE FOOD BANK in the lobby prior to each performance. You are invited to bring non-perishable food and personal care items.
SWEAT continues through October 13
Tickets and info at http://www.riverwalktheatre.com
$15/$12 - Bargain Thursdays $8/$10