‘Sweat’ to open at The Strand

Actors with the Westside Theatre will perform a Pulitzer Prize winning drama beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Strand Theatre, 717 Clay St. Entitled “Sweat,” the drama is set in the early 2000s in Reading, Penn. and was written by American playwright Lynn Nottage.

Jason King, who is serving as the director of the play, said the plot, which begins in the future and then reverts to the present, focuses on small groups of friends and families from different ethnic groups who work at a factory.

“Most of the scenes take place in the local bar,” King said, where conversations between groups can become less than social especially as the economy begins to shift after the America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is signed.

Without giving away too much of the play, King said “Sweat” does have a “bit of a redemptive arc in it.”

Eventually the characters, he said, “realize that no matter how bad things seem to get, it’s the people around you that’s what’s important. Because if you lose sight of that is when things can go bad, but when you find it again, you can bring it back.”

King said this was his first time to serve as a director and it has been interesting to see a play from “the other side.”

“It hasn’t been without its challenges, but you know, we have a really strong support group at The Strand with folks willing to come and help out and put in time and effort even when they’re not part of the show,” he said.

There are nine cast members in “Sweat,” which include Charles Pendleton as Evan; Harper Moore as Jason; Markeith Burks as Chris; Jack Burns as Stan; Cian Miller as Oscar; Stacie Schrader as Tracey; Nicole Harris as Cynthia; Madalyn Mouton as Jessie; and Thomas Murray as Brucie.

In addition to King, the crew consists of Paul Salgado, lights and sound; Daniel Boone, sound editing and voices; Ian Knight, stagehand; and Luanne Salgado, props.

Additional performances of “Sweat” will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, as well as Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, and at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2, and Sunday, June 9.

Tickets are $15 and are available at Highway 61 Coffeehouse, 1101 Washington St. and at the door.

Due to language and adult situations, “Sweat” is restricted for ages 17 and older.