Lynn Nottage's Sweat wins 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Congratulations to playwright Lynn Nottage, who has just been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her latest play Sweat. She makes history in becoming the only woman to ever win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, having picked up her first award for Ruined in 2009.

Ms. Nottage commented:

"I am grateful to the Pulitzer panel for recognizing my play. I share this honor with an amazing group of collaborators who poured their energy and passion into the making of Sweat. I am eternally thankful for their beautiful contributions - director Kate Whoriskey; Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Arena Stages, which co-commissioned the play; producers Stuart Thompson and Louise Gund; The Public Theater; early support from the McCarter Theatre and The Lark; and the all of the casts, designers, and crew members. However, this play would not exist if the good people of Reading, PA hadn't so generously invited me into their community to listen to their uncensored stories. The role of an artist is to witness and reflect, and to be in dialogue with the culture at large. As a woman of color, I feel an even greater urgency to flex my voice, and it is gratifying to know that there is an audience that will lean in and engage even when the stories are challenging."

The New York premiere of Sweat played an acclaimed limited off-Broadway engagement at The Public's Martinson Theater from October 18 to December 4, 2016. The play then moved to Broadway, beginning previews at Studio 54 on March 4, 2017, and officially opening to positive reviews on March 26.
Read our 5* review HERE.

Sweat is booking through to September 17, 2017.

Synopsis: "With warm humor and tremendous heart, Sweat tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets and laughs while working together on the line of a factory floor. But 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. The new play examines the collision of race, class, family and friendship, and the tragic, unintended costs of community without opportunity."

Directed by Kate Whoriskey, the cast of Sweat includes (in alphabetical order) Carlo Albán (Oscar), James Colby (Stan), Khris Davis (Chris), Tony nominee Johanna Day (Tracey), John Earl Jelks (Brucie), Will Pullen (Jason), Lance Coadie Williams (Evan), Michelle Wilson (Cynthia) and Alison Wright (Jessie).

The creative team behind Sweat features scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Jennifer Moeller, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, original music and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen, and projection design by Jeff Sugg.

Sweat is produced on Broadway by Stuart Thompson and Louise Gund.