by Tony Annicone
The second show of Gamm Theatre’s 38th season is The Pulitzer Prize winning play “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage. “Sweat” premiered in 2015 and tackles the loss of work and de-industrialization in modern America. Based on interviews with residents of Reading, a small town in Pennsylvania, the play vividly portrays the betrayal and resentments of striking female workers during the decline of the industry and how it destroys their families. Unfortunately, it also helped Trump win over the small towns of this state in 2016. Nottage delves into the plight of the working class. Two ex-cons being interviewed by their parole officer open and close the show in 2008. This last segment is where the audience learns of the results that led to their arrest and rips your heart out. The main action takes place in 2000. African American Cynthia is given a promotion over her oldest white friend, Tracey. The personal betrayal becomes more apparent when she learns she must tell the workers they must take a 60% cut in their wages. This leads to a lockout, and scabs enter the situation, which leads to violence (which explains the parole interview scenes.) Director Rachel Walshe casts these nine roles splendidly and has her cast delve into what makes each of them tick as they examine their motives for the approval or disapproval of Cynthia’s rise to her position of power. Rachel also gives each member of her cast their moment to shine with outstanding speeches or what the effects of their actions result in and the consequences they must face. Rachel always does a marvelous job with all of the shows I have seen her direct and this one is no exception. Brava!
Kym Gomes delivers a multilayered performance as Cynthia. She tries to explain why she accepted this position to help her friends and family and how the company itself betrayed one and all. Her interactions with her friends, husband and son are astoundingly well done. Cynthia has been at the company for 24 years and doesn’t know whether they elevated her to this new position to put her in the hot seat, a racist move on their part. At the beginning of the second act, she reconciles with her son, Chris after his release from jail. This propels the story forward to him attempting to make amends for the misdeeds of the past. Kym displays the conflicting emotions of this character beautifully.
Steven Kidd also shines as Stan, the bartender trying to broker peace among his customers that he’s known for years. His family worked for the company for three generations until his unfortunate accident. His strong presence enthralls the audience as he tries to navigate each character’s position of the problem at hand. The stunning fight segment in the second act is brilliantly portrayed by the four cast members. (Normand Beauregard was the fight director.)
Casey Seymour-Kim also delivers the goods as Tracey, she goes from devoted friend with many common interests and bonds into the disgruntled friend who stirs up trouble among the ranks. The workers all went to the same schools, work at the same factory and go to the same barroom. Her descent into addiction because of the situation is wonderfully portrayed as she abandons her son in his hour of need in 2008.
Conor Delaney as Jason, as the carefree, fun-loving boy in 2000, does a wonderful job running the gamut of emotions as he transforms into the tattooed Nazi bigot with a chip on his shoulder in 2008. It is intriguing when we finally learn what makes him tick. Erik Robles as Chris, Cynthia’s son who works at the factory in 2000 but yearns to go to college is dynamic, too. His desire to change his life is captivating, and he also does a marvelous job as he displays the change he undergoes when he is released from jail in 2008. The character has found religion while being incarcerated and wants to make amends with Oscar who worked at the bar and became a scab during the layoffs. The emotional impact of Erik and Conor’s acting prowess comes pouring out to the audience in these two roles.
The other four performers do admirable work, too. Jason Quinn plays Brucie, the drug addicted husband of Cynthia. His meltdown scene is splendid as he delivers a monologue of his behavior. His argument scene with Kym and his interaction with Erik as his son, are standout moments for him. Comic relief is provided by Kelly Seigh as the drunken Jessie especially in the opening scene where she comes out of the lady’s room with her dress hiked up in back. However, later on she expresses her hopes and dreams of the future in traveling to the places she has always wanted to go to.
Jamie Jose Hernandez plays Oscar, the bar back at Stan’s bar. Oscar is a Colombian now living in Pennsylvania. During most of the first act, he cleans the bar area continuously, but his character comes to life in the second act when confronted by Jason and Chris for crossing the picket line. Nottage shows how people must think before they act because the consequences of their actions won’t be what they expect them to be. Jermaine L. Pearson plays Evan the hardnosed parole officer who puts Jason in his place and at the same time lends an ear to Chris during his parole session because of both of their varying behaviors.
So, for a dramatic show that still resonates today with the midterm election upon us and the uncertainty with a disgruntled ex-president stirring the seeds of contention that plagued us in both 2000 and 2008, be sure to catch “Sweat” at the Gamm Theatre. You will witness incredible acting and direction all night long. A word of praise to assistant director Kelsey Emry who stage managed all of Gamm’s shows last season and especially to Jessica Hill Kidd on her breathtaking and gorgeous barroom set for this show. For tickets online go to www.gammtheatre.org Tell them Tony sent you.
SWEAT (3 to 27 November)
Gamm Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI
1(401)723-4266
