May has been a busy month for theater in Seattle, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

But before the month gets away from us, let’s have a look at some shows that will be closing in the next week or two. So, don’t miss out.

Sweat

If you haven’t seen the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Sweat,” at ACT Theatre, you only have 10 days left.

Set in Reading, PA, “Sweat” focuses on a group of friends whose lives revolve around their work in a factory in one of the poorest parts of the country. The Bush administration in 2000, when the play is set, acts as a backdrop to the societal underpinnings that makes this group of co-workers, who had become friends over the decades, slowly drift apart and become adversaries – even if they don’t really understand why. 

“Sweat” covers a lot of ground, both politically and emotionally, over an eight year time-span and playwright Lynn Nottage pulls it off with aplomb. Of course, with politics, whether the play is set in 2000 or in 2020 many of the same issues remain to varying degrees. And fortunately for us, so does hope, which the play offers a glimmer of at the end.

“Sweat” runs at ACT Theatre through May 22. Ticket information here. 

Afterwords

The 5th Avenue Theatre brings us another world premiere with “Afterwords.” This new musical has a lot of heart, not to mention a lot of musical styles.

All of it (the rock, the indie-folk, the pop music) works to pull together a story of two sisters who are still reconciling, in their own way, the death of their mother. In need of a little extra cash to pay the mortgage on their home, the sisters rent out the attic to a war reporter who ends up with a bigger story than anyone can imagine. How do these lives all intersect? A reporter never reveals their sources, but in this case they may be compelled to do so – for love. 

“Afterwords” plays at 5th Avenue Theatre trough May 21. Ticket information here.

Selling Kabul

Find out more about this intense thriller here.
“Selling Kabul” plays at Seattle Rep Through May 22. Ticket information here.

reSET

You only have two days to check out Washington Ensemble Theater’s latest installment of “reSet.” This is a chance for Seattle-based dancers to take over theatrical sets at WET.  In this instance, dancers DANDAY (David Rue and Randy Ford) and Jessica Jobaris will create work on the set of “Tin Cat Shoes” which wrapped last week at WET. A floor-to-ceiling shoe display and a roulette table are just a few gems that will be danced around – or upon.

“reSet” runs at WET May 13 – 14 only. Ticket information here.