THEATRE REVIEW: "Sweat" at the Goodman Theatre (Chicago, IL)

    






      On March 9th, 2019,  I saw the Chicago Premiere Production of the Lynn Nottage play "Sweat" at the Albert Theatre of the Goodman Theatre Center.  The play was performing there from March 9th through April 14th, so I saw the first preview performance of this production (opening night was March 18th).  In 2017, "Sweat" won the Pulitzer Prize.  I think I was seated in the back row of the mezzanine, but in the center so I had an excellent view of the stage.  




Kirsten Fitzgerald, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Chaon Cross in "Sweat."  Photo by Liz Lauren.






    The production starred Tyla Abercrumbie (Cynthia), Steve Casillas (Oscar), Ronald L. Conner (Evan), Chaon Cross (Jessie), Kirsten Fitzgerald (Tracey), Keith Kupferer (Stan), Edgar Miguel Sanchez (Chris), and André Teamer (Brucie).  I thought the cast was amazing and seemed well-rehearsed as far as how comfortable they were with their roles.  It hardly felt like I was watching the first performance of this production.  They must have worked really hard at rehearsals.  








     The production featured scenic design by Kevin Depinet.  Almost all of the play took place at the bar where the friends hung out at.  None of it took place at the factory where most of the characters worked up a ... sweat.  One or two scenes took place outside of the bar.  For maybe the first fifteen minutes of the show, everyone on stage was cheerful and nice to eachother.  Then the tension started to build and soon it was all yelling and racial tension--or outright racism.  They made it seem so real that I was cringing for most of the show..  




The Chicago Company of "Sweat."  Photo by Liz Lauren.





     I remember 2019 was dubbed (by the Chicago Theatre District?) as "the year of theatre."  I saw some great musicals that year, but this was one of the great plays I saw too.  I've yet to see a show at Stephenwolf Theatre (not on the main stage, at least) because I heard all the productions are so intense.  Then again "Sweat" was a pretty intense play itself, so maybe I could handle seeing a Steppenwolf play.  Then again, I'm not sure when I'll have that opportunity.  That theatre isn't exactly a train ride away for me anymore.











     "Sweat" is about a bunch of working class people in the town of Reading, Pennsylvania.   During the deindustrialization of the town, one of the characters gets promoted, and the rest get laid off.  This leads to the play exploring themes of race, identity, and politics.  I am glad to have seen this show, as intense as it was.  While the entire cast did a great job, I want to give a shout-out to Kirsten Fitzgerald for her portrayal of Tracey.  Tracey is not a likeable character in this show, yet is relatable in ways few care to admit.





Kirsten Fitzgerald, Keith Kupferer, and Tyla Abercrumbie in "Sweat." Photo by Liz Lauren. 


     



     While "Sweat" isn't the most lighthearted play by any means, I really enjoyed it.  I'm grateful to my dad for getting me a ticket to see it.  I've seen some great shows at the Goodman Theatre, and "Sweat" was among the best.  I would never have thought I'd say that about a play (since I tend to prefer musicals), but "Sweat" is among my favorites nonetheless.  It also made me a fan of Lynn Nottage as a playwright.  I hope to see more of her work in the near future.






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