‘Sweat Continues Onstage at The Public; Joyce & Bill Toms Benefit Concert at Hard Rock (Wed., 11/21/18)

Much of the action in ‘Sweat’ takes place in a bar.(left to right) Tony Bingham, Tracey Conyer Lee, and Amy Landis.

1) Set in nearby Reading, Pennsylvania, Sweat tells the story of nine friends. The play begins in 2008 when two men meet their parole officer. The next scene begins during happier times in a bar in 2000. The bar’s patrons work at Olstead’s Steel Tubing. The audience observes what happens over the next eight years, including layoffs and the fraught renegotiation of union contracts. It’s set over a decade ago, but the play’s themes remain timely. Part of that might be because playwright Lynn Nottage interviewed manufacturing employees in Reading as part of her research. And if all of that wasn’t enough, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2017. Nottage is the only woman so far to have won the drama prize twice; the other time was for Ruined in 2009. Pittsburgh Public Theater performs Sweat. Justin Emeka directs. 8 p.m. Continues through December 9. O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (CM)

1) How about a rock event for a great cause? The Joyce and Bill Toms 13th Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Concert will be not only raising the decibel level but will also be raising funds and awareness for Band Together Pittsburgh.. Performing will be Bill Toms  & Hard Rain (featuring The Soulville Horns), with special guests Dan Bubien and the Delta Struts, Helene Milan, John Vento, Jimmy Adler, Miss Freddye, Stevee Wellons, John Gresh, Marc Reisman, Cheryl Rinovata, Rick Witkowski, Aris Paul, and some surprise appearances. 8 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe, 230 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square.

Bill Toms plays some killer lead guitar riffs (c.) while Hard Rain and the Soulville Horns jam on.

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