REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Lynn Nottage’s “Sweat” has to be one of the biggest downers of a play I have seen but that is not meant negatively. The play is a vibrant slice of contemporary life as it probes three families who work hard at a local plant as they try to stay on top of rapidly changing life. In a smartly staged and well-acted production, Stray Cat Theatre brings this thoughtful and insightful play to excellent fruition.
The powerful Stray Cat production couldn’t be better at bringing this troubling but accurate message to glowing life. Ryan L. Jenkins takes strong command of the play as Cynthia, the line worker willing to adapt. Cynthia must even turn against her own son, Chris, who won’t bend. Tanner J. Conley is a thoughtful but stable Chris.
His friend Jason handles his hostilities negatively and Ty Klassen explodes with biting rage in the part. Flighty Jessie tries to stay outside of the battle using an alcohol cushion. Kim Richard plays the hard-drinking character with glitzy glamour.
Tracey allows things to really deteriorate as they prove even more stuck in a rut as they give up even on their union representation. Cindy Covington is a scrappy Tracey.
Oscar is a maintenance drudge in the bar where the group meets but he adopts the plant changes as he finds a place for himself after long being kept from the factory. Ricky Araiza plays him with stoic conviction. Bar owner Stan, played with emotional connection by Walt Pedano, must deal with the plant changes as it impacts his business.
“Sweat” is a difficult play to watch but in the winning Stray Cat Theatre production it exposes audiences to an important life segment that people must respect if they are to live successfully in our rapidly changing society.
Grade: A