Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

Casting News Academy Award winner and stage veteran Marisa Tomei , as well as Tony nominee Omar Metwally ( Guards at the Taj , The Affair ), Tony winner Lena Hall ( Hedwig and the Angry Inch ), and others, will star in Sarah Ruhl's How to Transcend a Happy Marriage . The LCT production, directed by Rebecca Taichman, begins previews February 23, with opening night set for March 20. Broadway.com has more. Taylor Louderman ( Bring It On , Gigantic ) will join the Broadway company of Kinky Boots , taking on the role of Lauren. She begins performances on January 16. Broadway.com has more. Complete casting for Joan of Arc: Into the Fire , the new musical from David Byrne and Alex Timbers, has been announced. Jo Lampert stars in the title role (in costume at right), and Terence Archie ( Rocky ), Mike McGowan , and others will appear in featured and ensemble roles. Broadway World has the full announcement. Previews begin February 14, with opening night scheduled for March ...

I'm pleased to report on Lynn Nottage 's keenly observed play, Sweat , which focuses on blue collar workers in Reading, Pennsylvania. We begin in 2008, with Jason ( Will Pullen ) and Chris ( Khris Davis ) talking (separately) to a social worker, Evan ( Lance Coadie Williams ). We then jump back to 2000, when most of the action takes place. In a neighborhood bar, we meet Cynthia ( Michelle Wilson ), Chris's mother; Tracey ( Johanna Day ), Jason's mother; Jessie ( Miriam Shor ), Cynthia and Tracey's colleague; bartender Stan ( James Colby ); and barback Oscar ( Carlo Alban ). Chris and Jason figure in the 2000 plot line, as well. Everyone except Stan and Oscar work at a factory, as is the tradition in their part of town. (Cynthia's ex, Brucie ( John Earl Jelks ), has also worked in a factory, though a different one from the women and their sons.) It's 2000, and times are getting tough. Factory work is no longer the sure thing it used to be. Times are ...