“Sweat should be required viewing for anyone living in our republic – it is that important.”
PLAYCLOSED
Sweat
Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre
Opened Mar 26, 2017 · Closed Jun 25, 2017 · Ran for 3 months
21 Rave
9 Positive
3 Mixed
1 Negative
Critics' Take
Nottage's timely drama about working-class America's economic collapse earns strong praise for its compassion and relevance, though some critics find the narrative heavy on exposition and predictable in its execution.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
34 reviews21 Rave
9 Positive
3 Mixed
1 Negative
Sort:
“Sweat is a memorable play for our times, about our times and our people.”
“Indeed, "Sweat" has a political message to impart, and it does so with conviction and a style teeming with grittiness and breathtaking poetry.”
“Sweat, directed with the utmost care by Kate Whoriskey and acted by the finest ensemble you're likely to see this season, may not make you like these optionless victims any better, but it will help you understand them.”
“Sweat has transferred exceedingly well from the Public to Broadway, with only very minor tweaks to the script by Nottage (Intimate Apparel, Meet Vera Stark), while the direction by Kate Whoriskey (How I Learned to Drive, The Piano Teacher), who also helmed Nottage’s Ruined, is even sharper.”
Audience Scorecard
719 audience reviews
B+
Liking It
Awards Scorecard
2016-17 season67
Honored
Nominated for Best Play
Pulitzer Prize for Drama Winner (2017)
Obie Award:1 winOuter Critics:3 nomsDrama Desk:1 nomDrama League:1 nomLortel Award:1 nom
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Sweat?
Nottage's timely drama about working-class America's economic collapse earns strong praise for its compassion and relevance, though some critics find the narrative heavy on exposition and predictable in its execution. (CriticScore 81/100 from 34 reviews.)
Is Sweat worth seeing?
Yes. Sweat earns strong reviews from critics (81/100 from 34 reviews). Most theatergoers will have a great time.
What is the CriticScore for Sweat?
Sweat has a CriticScore of 81/100 based on 34 professional reviews. This is a "Recommended" show.
Is Sweat still running on Broadway?
No, Sweat has closed. It played at Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre and closed on June 25, 2017.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueAn intimate 299-seat black box space at Roundabout, offering an unusually close actor-audience experience unlike any other Broadway house. Sightlines and sound vary by configuration since staging changes per production. Comfort is adequate but unremarkable.
Original Broadway Cast
- Carlo AlbánOscarBroadway debut
- James ColbyStan
- Khris DavisChrisBroadway debut
- Johanna DayTraceyNom: Featured Actress (Play)
- John Earl JelksBrucie
- Will PullenJasonBroadway debut
- Lance Coadie WilliamsEvanBroadway debut
- Michelle WilsonCynthiaNom: Featured Actress (Play)
Creative Team
- Kate WhoriskeyDirector
- Lynn NottagePlaywright
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 81/100 (34 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Mar 26, 2017
- Closed
- Jun 25, 2017
- Run Length
- 3 months
- Synopsis
- Filled with warm humor and tremendous heart, SWEAT tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks and laughs while working together on the factory floor. But when layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, they find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
