Capital Stage’s 'Sweat' Is Unique, Outstanding

Playwright Lynn Nottage won the Pulitzer Prize last year for her gritty drama "Sweat," about manufacturing workers in a Pennsylvania factory that’s soon to close. Capital Stage in Sacramento has the first local production, and the show is a doozy.

A fateful future hangs over the blue collar characters in this play. Check out the fear in this barroom discussion, as the weary line workers blow off steam over multiple glasses of beer:

Stan: And Clarence says he got wind they were going to cut back his line at the plant, couldn’t handle the stress.

Cynthia: Oh, that rumor’s been going around for months. Ain’t nobody going anywhere.

Stan: Well, OK, you keep telling yourself that. … But you saw what happened over at Clements Technologies? Nobody saw that coming, right? You could wake up tomorrow, all your jobs are in Mexico.

These folks have been working in the same plant since they were teenagers. Listen to this tipsy middle-aged mom, who has long assumed she’d be on the assembly line until she retired.

Tracey: What the fuck is NAFTA? It sounds like a laxative.

This play traverses some grim dramatic territory, as unanticipated job losses trigger suspicion among friends and family, followed by financial distress, depression, and substance abuse. It’s not a pretty picture — but it sure makes for powerful theater.

And keep your eye on actor Ian Hopps, Sacramento’s go-to guy in when it comes to playing impulsive young hotheads. He gives another incendiary performance as a skinhead punk with a tattooed face, trafficking in racial stereotypes.

"Sweat" is yet another polished production of a landmark contemporary script by Capital Stage. You really should see it.

The Capital Stage production of "Sweat" continues through November 18 at Capital Stage in Sacramento.