“Sweat” at Costa Mesa Playhouse
- OC Theatre Guild
- May 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 8
A blistering, steel-hearted tale hits the stage in a timely and unflinching production.
By Anne Reid
Costa Mesa Playhouse launches its latest production on May 16 with “Sweat.” Written by Lynn Nottage “Sweat” is a searing portrait of working-class life in America. Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the play offers an unflinching look at the economic collapse of small-town industries and the unraveling of friendships, identity, and hope in its aftermath. Directed by Brooke Harper and running through June 8, the production captures the grit, vulnerability, and deep-seated frustration of factory workers caught in the storm of economic collapse.
Set in Reading, Pennsylvania-- once a thriving industrial town and now a symbol of post-industrial decay-- “Sweat” tells the story of a close-knit group of friends who spend their days on the factory floor and their nights at the local bar. As layoffs, union strife, and changing workplace dynamics begin to upend their lives, friendships are tested, loyalties fray, and long-buried racial and class tensions rise to the surface.
Nottage, inspired by interviews with real residents of Reading, wrote “Sweat” as a brutally honest portrait of a community in decline. Premiering in 2015 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and later moving to Broadway in 2017, the play has since become a staple of American theatre for its nuanced, unflinching depiction of economic displacement and fractured identity.
Harper, a seasoned performer and director in the Orange County arts community, brings a uniquely personal lens to the production. “This play is pretty much a mirror image of my family’s experience,” Harper shared. Her father, who passed away in January, grew up near Reading, and much of her extended family still lives in the area. “Directing this has been cathartic. It’s both personal and timely —and important because it shines a light on people who are often invisible in society and on stage.”
A graduate of California State University Fullerton’s BFA program, Harper has spent her life in the arts, performing at Disneyland, in a cappella groups, on cruise ships, in regional theatres, and with various bands. She currently serves as a show director at the Disneyland Resort and hosts the Orange County Theatre Guild (OCTG) Awards. Her passion for representation is evident. “We shattered expectations at The Wayward Artist with “Yellowface” by putting underrepresented communities on stage, and when people saw themselves, they came back. That’s the power of representation.” She believes the best stories are often personal, and the best jokes are inside jokes-- specific to a culture but capable of resonating universally.
The play alternates between the years 2000 and 2008, exploring the before-and-after effects of a pivotal betrayal among friends and the consequences that ripple across generations. It’s a story of loyalty, survival, and the disillusionment that emerges when the American Dream slips out of reach. “This isn’t just about factory workers,” Harper said. “It’s about what happens when the floor drops out from under people who’ve done everything right.”
Despite a strong cast, the production faced challenges—one actor had to be replaced late in rehearsals due to a medical emergency. unexpectedly found the perfect replacement right next door. “She was really impressive during the audition process and was perfect for the role. We don’t always have the most diverse pool in Orange County, but when you reach out to the community, amazing things can happen.”
The production features eight central characters navigating themes of racial inequality, substance abuse, generational divides, and corporate betrayal. Set almost entirely in a bar-- a gathering place turned battleground-- it serves as a backdrop for workers grappling with the loss of their livelihoods. Lighting designer Kris Kataoka and multimedia artist Francis Gerard (also the OCTG resident photographer) round out the production’s design team, bringing a grounded, lived-in atmosphere to the stage.
The message of “Sweat” resonates deeply with Harper, particularly in today’s climate. “We’re still in a moment where people feel abandoned by their leaders,” she said. “The parallels to today’s political and economic landscape are striking. Nottage was writing about how we got where we are today in this country-- and the feeling of being left behind.”
Costa Mesa Playhouse Artistic Director Peter Kreder agrees. “We’ve always told stories that matter,” he said. The playhouse, which moved to its current home on Hamilton Street in 1984 after initially operating at the Orange County Fairgrounds, is currently facing its own crossroads. Due to school district reconfiguration, the theatre will need to find a new venue after 41 years. “Our goal is to secure a standalone space for our 60th season,” said Kreder. “We’ve been in discussions with the city council, arts council, and historical society.”
Kreder, who directed “How I Learned to Drive” earlier this season and previously co-directed with longtime Playhouse director Michael Serna, praised Harper’s leadership. “It’s the director who brings the artistic board’s vision to life-- and Brooke has done just that.”
As for Harper, she relishes being part of the Orange County theatre community and working with a team she’s known for decades. “Some of these people I’ve known since the early 2000s. To still be making art together today is truly a gift.”
With biting dialogue, emotional depth, and complex, deeply human characters, “Sweat” offers no easy answers but instead invites the audience to confront hard truths. “At the end of the day, this is a story about taking care of each other,” Harper said. “When we do, wonderful things can happen. When we don’t, we fall apart.”
Anne Reid is a writer, public & community relations expert, and theatre mom.
“Sweat”
Costa Mesa Playhouse
661 Hamilton Street, Costa Mesa, CA
May 16 - June 8, 2025
(949) 650-5269, www.costamesaplayhouse.org
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