Sweat & Party People extend Public Theater limited runs
The Public Theater has announced two 1-week extensions for the limited engagements of two autumn productions. The New York premiere of Sweat, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Kate Whoriskey, which begins previews at the Public's Martinson Theater on 18 October, before an official opening on 3 November, has extended for a second time and will now play through to 4 December 2016. (It was originally scheduled to end on 20 November). Secondly, the New York premiere of Universes' Party People, directed by Liesl Tommy and choreographed by Millicent Johnnie, which will play a limited engagement from 1 November 2016 with an official opening set for 14 November, will now conclude on 11 December 2016.
The cast of Sweat includes (in alphabetical order) Carlo Alban (Oscar), James Colby (Stan), Khris Davies (Chris), Johanna Day (Tracey), John Earl Jelks (Brucie), Will Pullen (Jason), Miriam Shor (Jessie), Lance Coadie Williams (Evan) and Michelle Wilson (Cynthia).
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."
The creative team behind Sweat has also been announced and 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.
Party People marks the Public Theater debut of the theatre ensemble group known as UNIVERSES, whose members include Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, Steven Sapp and William Ruiz aka Ninja. The complete cast of Party People includes (in alphabetical order) Oberon K.A. Adjepong (Blue), Michael Elich (Marcus / FBI Agent), Gizel Jimenez (Clara), Ramona Keller (Amira), Christopher Livingston (Malik), Jesse J. Perez (Tito), Sophia Ramos (Maruca), Robynn Rodriguez (Donna / Fina), Horace V. Rogers (Solias), William Ruiz a.k.a. Ninja (Jimmy "Primo"), Mildred Ruiz-Sapp (Helita) and Steven Sapp (Omar).
Synopsis: "UNIVERSES, the award-winning ensemble known for their fusion of theater, poetry, jazz, hip-hop, politics, down home blues and Spanish boleros, makes their Public Theater premiere with an explosive new work about the complicated legacies of the Black Panther Party and the Young Lords Org/Party. Directed and developed by Tony Award nominee Liesl Tommy, UNIVERSES created Party People based on dozens of interviews with members of these groundbreaking, society-changing groups. Party People imagines a present-day reunion at an art opening curated by two young counter culturalists; but the curators themselves have complex relationships with the Party members, who fought injustice and provided free food and medical care for their communities-often at the expense of the people who loved them most. Old wounds and generational divides collide in this astonishing, multi-media theatrical event about the price of being a revolutionary, and what it means for those who come after. Breaking the bounds of the expected, the members of UNIVERSES and Liesl Tommy invite audiences of every age, color and creed to join them as they continue to revolutionize American theater and explore the fight to bring power to the people, and the people to power."
The creative team behind Party People has also been announced and features scenic & lighting design by Marcus Doshi, costume design by Meg Neville, sound design & vocal direction by Broken Chord, music composition by UNIVERSES and Broken Chord, projection design by Sven Ortel, and hair & wig design by Cookie Jordan.
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