OneMacomb to host free production of "Sweat," a Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony Award nominated play

Performance conducted by the Mobile Unit of The Public Theater of New York

OneMacomb has announced that it will host a free production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Sweat" on Friday, October 5 from 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Macomb County Family Resource Center (196 North Rose Street, Mount Clemens). The play, which was written by Lynn Nottage, tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets and laughs while working together on a factory floor. However, when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in the hard fight to stay afloat.

"Sweat" premiered at The Public Theater of New York in 2016 before opening on Broadway in 2017. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play and won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The Macomb County performance is a part of a Midwest tour by The Public Theater's Mobile Unit. It will visit 18 cities across Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Wisconsin over a four week period.
 

"Sweat tells the story of Reading, Pa., but it could be any post-industrial city across the landscape," said Nottage in a statement. "One of the beautiful things about what we're trying to do with the Mobile Unit National Tour is to link narratives and bring people not just in the communities into dialogue, but people across communities into dialogue and figure out how can we strategize and shift the national conversation."

Initial casting for the tour includes Carlo Albán, Benton Greene, Hunter Hoffman, Steve Key and Lance Coadie Williams. The tour will feature scenic design by Wilson Chin, costume design by Christopher Metzger and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen.

"I am proud to bring a Pulitzer Prize-winning play from New York to our Family Resource Center in Mount Clemens," said Macomb County Deputy Executive Pam Lavers. "It is sure to be a thought-provoking evening that will encourage dialogue and understanding in our community."

Individuals interested in the October 5 performance can register for a free ticket here. Organizers are recommending the show for those ages 16 and up, however, if young people attend with their parents, they will be able to participate in on-site activities put on by the Detroit Institute of Arts. All attendees will receive a free dinner.

"Sweat" is presented locally by OneMacomb. Founded in 2012, OneMacomb works to:

• Promote multiculturalism and inclusion through arts and community affairs.

• Strengthen Macomb County's economy by building connections throughout the county, region and world.

• Identify and implement multicultural best practices on delivering services to the residents of Macomb County.

For more information on OneMacomb, visit the initiative's website or follow it on Facebook and Twitter