by Paula Kaplan-Reiss
The suffering working class, inequities in pay between the haves and have-nots, lack of vocational mobility, drug and alcohol abuse, and racism all play critical roles in Sweat, Lynn Nottage’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning play appearing at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, New York.
Confronted with the interior of a beloved, comfortably appointed bar, Howard’s Tavern, in Reading, Pennsylvania, designed by Brian Prather, the action begins with the tables serving as the inside of a parole office in 2008. There we find parole officer, Evan (Christopher James Murray) addressing two different inmates recently released from eight years in prison. Jason (David Gow), with buzzed hair and tattoos on his face, seeming to be a skinhead, is belligerent and angry. Chris (Jovan Davis), a lanky African American with dreadlocks, is emotional recounting his dramatic meet-up with Jason, apparently an old friend with whom an awful conflict resulted in their incarceration. We spend the rest of the play uncovering what led up to this obviously horrific event.
Going back in time to 2000, we find ourselves witnessing the birthday party of three middle aged female friends at the tavern, a space where they regularly gather after work at a plant where each has been employed since high school. We learn that Cynthia (Inga Ballard), Jessie (Kathleen Carey) and Tracey (LeeAnne Hutchison) each struggle in their marriage. While one is a young widow, another has a drug addicted husband, Brucie (William Oliver Watkins), and another is divorced from an unfaithful husband. All three can drink to excess and bemoan their hopeless efforts to move up in the plant. The bartender, Stan (Michael Pemberton), injured at the plant and on disability, seems a friend to all his regulars.
During the year 2000, the scenes switch monthly with the date announced on a TV at the bar and projections on the brick walls of the national and local news on those dates. These effective transitions by Projection Designer, Kylee Loera, Sound Designer, Jeffrey Salerno and Lighting Designer, Shelby Loera give us a keen sense of the politics and economic issues of the time.
John Martinez Soliz and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
John Martinez Soliz and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis and Christopher James Murray in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and David Gow in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and LeeAnne Hutchison in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
(back) John Martinez Soliz, Michael Pemberton and (front) Kathleen Carey in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
John Martinez Soliz and Michael Pemberton in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
John Martinez Soliz and Michael Pemberton in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and Kathleen Carey in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
William Oliver Watkins and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
William Oliver Watkins and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
William Oliver Watkins and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Inga Ballard, Michael Pemberton, Kathleen Carey and LeeAnne Hutchison in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
LeeAnne Hutchinson in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
David Gow, Jovan Davis, Michael Pemberton, Inga Ballard and Kathleen Carey in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey, LeeAnne Hutchison, Jovan Davis and David Gow in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey, LeeAnne Hutchison, Jovan Davis, David Gow, Michael Pemberton and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey, LeeAnne Hutchison, Jovan Davis, David Gow, Michael Pemberton and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
LeeAnne Hutchison, Kathleen Carey, Inga Ballard, Jovan Davis, David Gow, Michael Pemberton and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis and William Oliver Watkins in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
LeeAnne Hutchison, Michael Pemberton, John Martinez Soliz, Jovan Davis and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
David Gow, Kathleen Carey, Michael Pemberton, Inga Ballard and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
David Gow, Kathleen Carey, Michael Pemberton, Inga Ballard and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
LeeAnne Hutchison and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
LeeAnne Hutchison and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
William Oliver Watkins and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
John Martinez Soliz, William Oliver Watkins, Michael Pemberton and Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and William Oliver Watkins in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and William Oliver Watkins in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and William Oliver Watkins in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
William Oliver Watkins and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and Jovan Davis in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis, Michael Pemberton, and David Gow in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and David Gow in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis, John Martinez Soliz and Michael Pemberton in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Jovan Davis, Michael Pemberton, David Gow, (front) John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Kathleen Carey in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
LeeAnne Hutchison and Kathleen Carey in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Inga Ballard, Michael Pemberton and LeeAnne Hutchison in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Inga Ballard and Michael Pemberton in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Michael Pemberton and John Martinez Soliz in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
Inga Ballard in Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat,” directed by Margaret Hall, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: Lorraine Toth. 
We soon learn that Cynthia, an African American, and Tracey, a White woman have adult sons, Chris and Jason, who we met in scene one, working at the plant who are the best of friends. With no tattoos and little anger, we see a marked difference in Gow’s portrayal of Jason from how we initially saw him. Likewise, with a spring in his step and an effervescent presentation, Davis portrays a fun-loving Chris who, nonetheless, struggles with his drug addicted father and his desire to go to college and leave factory life behind.
Over time, friction develops as one woman gets picked for management, layoffs ensue, a strike follows and jobs are lost. The relationship amongst the three women is fractured. A Barback (John Martinez Soliz), a young Hispanic immigrant, becomes a scab in the hopes of making more money. His betrayal escalates all of the characters except the understanding bartender, Stan, and results in the dramatic climax of Sweat.
Sweat has an effective ensemble cast. We see the closeness and the toughness in the three women: Hutchison, Ballard and Carey. We witness the need to present strong by Hutchison, the weariness and frustration of Ballard, and the emotional defeat of Carey. Gow and Davis show an incredible range going from convicts to best buds to angry workers, with Davis’s character Chris wanting more. Watkins, as Brucie, Chris’s Dad, gives a believable portrayal as a heroin addict who is unable to get clean for his family. Both Pemberton and Soliz make dramatic turns from the beginning to the end of the play.
Costumes by Elivia Bovenzi Blitz accurately portray the time period, the socioeconomic status, and the personality of the characters.
Nottage hits every social, financial and racial issue in this working-class town in the early 2000’s. These issues unfortunately prevail. Director Margaret Hall enables this nearly three hour play to move quickly, bringing out each character’s distinct personality, and engaging the audience.
As the title of Nottage’s play, Sweat has multiple meanings, resulting in the audience getting an emotional work-out.
CONTENT ADVISORY: Sweat is about the conflicts that arise between class and race in the world of steel workers in 2000 and 2008. The play contains expressive adult language and a scene with physical violence that is key to the plot.
Sweat by Lynn Nottage, directed by Margaret Hall, runs March 8-21 at the Capital Repertory Theatre, 251 North Pearl Street in Albany, NY. CAST: Christopher James Murray as Evan, David Gow as Jason, Jovan Davis as Chris, Inga Ballard as Cynthia, Kathleen Carey as Jessie, LeeAnne Hutchison as Tracey, William Oliver Watkins as Brucie, Michael Pemberton as Stan, and John Martinez Soliz as Oscar. CREATIVE TEAM: Set design by Brian Prather, Associate Scenic designer Lindsay Furori, Costume Design by Elivia Bovenzi Blitz, Projection Design by Kylee Loera, Associate Projection Designer Peter Leibold VI, Sound Design by Jeffrey Salerno, Lighting Design by Shelby Loera, Fight Choreographer Kyle Vincent Terry, Hair Stylists Michael Dunn & Venue Moultrie, Production Stage Manager Kate Kern, and Assistant Stage Manager Regina Desrosiers.
Regular performance times March 12-31 are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with matinees 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from $25 – $57. For tickets and information, call the box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday at (518) 346-6204 or visit attherep.org. The box office at theREP will open 60 minutes before show time.