Simmering tensions underly a seemingly good time as friends gather at a bar in Reading, Pennsylvania. Set in the 2000s, scenes flash back and forth piecing together a riveting examination of corporate greed and its effects on working class America.
Sweat begins in an interrogation room ran by a very patient Evan (Adrian Roberts) as Jason (David Darrow) spews out anger and racial slurs. Chris (Kadeem Ali Harris) enters the scene and although the two men don’t remain in the same room, their bond is palpable. Something happened, and we aren’t quite sure what yet, as we flash back to three long time friends and steel factory workers, Tracey (Lise Bruneau), Cynthia (Tonye Patano), and Jessie (Sarah Nina Hayon).
Although they are having a great time, encouraged by their bartender, Stan (Rod Gnapp), there’s hints at dissatisfaction among the three women. Broken marriages, substance abuse, and uncertainty loom in the air. There’s talk of the possibility of losing work or lowered wages, and disappointment brought on by years of dedication to the company. We find out that Chris and Jason are Cynthia and Tracey’s sons, respectively, and they, too, work at the factory. Then there’s Brucie (Chiké Johnson), Cynthia’s estranged husband who’s fighting addiction. He, too, worked at the factory, as did Stan, who was ousted due to his disability, despite generations of his family’s loyalty.
Lingering in background is the barback Oscar (Jed Parsario), who becomes Tracey’s scapegoat as she grapples with the possibility of losing her job. When instability hits, racial tensions begin to fly, tensions that were always present, but veiled until the breaking point. When one of the friends gets a promotion, the anger comes out, and it’s the beginning of the undoing.
Sweat is directed by Loretta Greco, with amazing performances all around, and an incredible casting job done by Janet Foster, CSA. The actors are incredibly strong, playing tense scenes effortlessly, and bringing vulnerability to tough characters. The set work by Andrew Boyce is gorgeous. The writing in the first act drags a bit, but the second act picks up. It’s the action that makes the play, Sweat comes alive when the characters are engaged together. It’s worth seeing for its powerful political message. Through a human lens we watch an analysis of the socioeconomic factors that still contribute to our current political climate, and the struggle to keep America’s working middle class afloat.
Sweat is playing at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater now through Sunday, October 21st. For more information and for tickets, visit http://www.act-sf.org
