Arts & Entertainment

Lynn Nottage’s ‘Sweat’

At the Long Beach Playhouse July 20 – Aug. 17

Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize winning play portrays a meeting between a parole officer and two ex-convicts, and three women who were childhood friends who worked in the same rust-belt factory. It is the story of friends who’ve spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets and laughs until layoffs and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust and they find themselves pitted against one another in their fight to stay afloat.

“Nottage began working on the play in 2011 by interviewing residents of Reading, Pennsylvania, which was one of the poorest cities in America,” said Sean Gray, producing artistic director for the Playhouse. “In this play, we see how economics and the feeling of scarcity can come between people. The characters feel trapped in a working-class system and see no way out.

“We witness a relationship disintegrate as friends compete for advancement and one rises from union worker to management. The inevitable tug of union versus management brings on racial tensions and tears the friendship apart.”

“The New York Times called Sweat keenly observed and surprisingly funny,” said Madison Mooney, Long Beach Playhouse executive director. “Sean and the show’s director, Maisha Azadi Sebastiany, created a great ensemble cast that wonderfully represents the diverse demographics of Reading, Pennsylvania, in the early years of the 21st Century.”

The nine-member cast includes three returning performers, Tara Brown, Floyd Harden and Giovanni Navarro. The six debuting performers are Alli Maier, Chase Payne, Andante Petit-Homme, Natalie Venturi, Michael D. Gonzales, and Gary McKee.

“Lynn Nottage plays are always popular with audiences, we know this one will be as well,” said Mooney. “Don’t miss it!”

This production of SWEAT is sponsored by The Port of Long Beach.

Special Events

Pay what you can Preview Thursday, July 18 - community can see this production for whatever they wish to donate, suggested donation $5

Ten Dollar Preview Friday, July 19- Tickets are $10.00

Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on Saturday July 20 - Tickets are $35.00 - Sponsored by the Port of Long Beach

Ticket Prices

• Friday: Adults are $25.00, Seniors $20.00, and Students $20.00
• Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $30.00, Seniors $25.00, and Students $20.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St. across from the Recreation Park Golf Course. The Playhouse is community-supported theater with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3-8 p.m. and Sundays, 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees.

Please Note: The Studio Theater is on the 2nd Floor. There is no elevator, and the theater is only accessible by stairs.

MTW 73rd Season

Musical Theatre West (MTW), announced its landmark 73rd season of Broadway-caliber musicals for the upcoming 2025 season. One of its most exciting seasons to date, MTW’s 2025 season features Broadway musicals and shows chronicling the rise of two legendary music acts, a number of musicalized Brothers Grimm legends, and one most legendary classic musicals of all time. The season kicks off Feb. 14, 2025, and runs through Nov. 2, 2025.

The season begins with Jersey Boys (Feb. 14 - March 2), the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to fame, followed by Into the Woods (March 28 - April 13), the Stephen Sondheim classic that brings beloved fairy tales to life. Over the summer, the music icon behind the hits ““Peggy Sue,” “Oh, Boy!” and “That’ll Be the Day” takes the stage in the biomusical Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (July 11 - 27). Finally, one of the most revived and celebrated pieces in musical theatre Hello, Dolly! (October 17 - November 2) closes out the season.

“As one of the largest regional theatres in the area, we are proud to continue our long-standing tradition of Broadway quality musicals here in Long Beach, CA,” said Paul Garman, Executive Director/Producer for MTW. “In our 2025 season, we are thrilled to produce the two shows that tied for first place in our most recent audience survey. With our 75th anniversary coming up in 2027, we’ll be giving audiences a taste of exactly what Musical Theatre West does best.”

Jersey Boys – Feb. 14 - March 2, 2025, The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, Music by Bob Gaudio and Lyrics by Bob Crewe.

Experience the rise to fame of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. Jersey Boys follows the legendary 1960s rock ‘n’ roll group The Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. With unforgettable hits like “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” Jersey Boys will take you on a nostalgic trip through the lives of these music legends as they navigate fame, friendship, and the music industry.

Into The Woods – March 28 - April 13, 2025, Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine, Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine and Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.

Journey into the enchanting world of fairy tales as they collide in the Tony Award-winning Into the Woods, written by legendary musical theatre composer Stephen Sondheim. This bewitching tale follows familiar characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack (of beanstalk fame) as they venture into the mysterious woods to fulfill their deepest wishes. But as their desires intertwine, consequences unfold in unexpected ways as the characters explore the complexities of wishes and the responsibility of storytelling.

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story – July 11 - 27, 2025, Written by Alan Janes

Before the “Million Dollar Quartet” got together to make music history, one man was emerging as the face of rock ‘n’ roll, and his name was Buddy. Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story explores the life and music of one of rock ‘n’ roll’s pioneers, from his humble beginnings in Lubbock, Texas, to his meteoric rise to fame. With hits like “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day,” this musical captures the essence of Buddy’s unique sound and enduring legacy, and will leave you toe-tapping and hand-clapping all the way home!

Hello, Dolly! – Oct. 17 – Nov. 2, 2025, Book by Michael Stewart Music, Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion.

Put on your sunday clothes, because Dolly is coming to the Carpenter Center! Hello, Dolly! follows the larger-than-life matchmaker Dolly Levi as she meddles in the romantic affairs of the city’s elite in turn-of-the-century New York City. This Broadway classic is full of wit, charm, and show-stopping dance numbers galore. With iconic songs like “Before the Parade Passes By,” “It Only Takes a Moment,” and, of course, the title song, Hello, Dolly! is a joyous celebration of love, life, and the indomitable spirit of one legendary woman.

MTW’s performances will be held at The Carpenter Performing Arts Center, located at 6200 E. Atherton St.