County Seat closes a 'Sweet' run

After nearly nine months of rehearsals and 15 performances, the final curtain has fallen on County Seat Theater Company's production of "Sweet" by Denise Hinson.

In 2017 the County Seat Theater was selected as one of five community theaters from around the country to produce a winning production of the American Association of Community Theatre NewPlayFest. County Seat presented the world premiere of "Sweet" in September 2018. To take the piece to contest, they needed to cut the play to a 60-minute show with the help of the playwright.

"Sweet" is centered around three generations of the Carter family, headed by former boxing champ "Sweet" Clemmet Carter, portrayed by Michael Rosen. An enthusiastic sports writer (Greg Anderson) enters their lives asking to write a book about Clemmet's boxing days, unearthing a tragic secret.

After winning at the state level in March, CST advanced to the American Association of Community Theatres Region V One Act Festival in Aberdeen, S.D. April 26.

CST first advanced to regional competition in 2011 with its production of "Wiley and the Hairy Man," then to the national festival and ultimately to an international festival in Japan in 2012.

Although CST did not advance to the national level this time, Jennifer Soukkala and Anderson were recognized for outstanding achievement in acting; Joseph Larson, supporting actor; and director Joel Soukkala, scenic design and sound design.

"I could not be more proud of our production," Soukkala said. "This show has been a long process in the making and I have enjoyed it immensely. The comments from the adjudicators and members from other theaters were so complimentary it makes you realize just why we do this.

"It's not about winning, it's about the feeling you get when you know you've left it all on the stage."