Working

Stephen Schwartz gave the music and lyrics for Wicked, the Tony Award winning Broadway show. And that’s not all because he is also the mastermind behind the musical, Working.  The musical is another masterpiece in the world of Broadway and is as much popular as any of Schwartz’s work. Working is based on the book by Stephen Schwartz who has also contributed in the music and lyrics of the musical. Working tickets are becoming highly popular in the theater world and in no time will be the most popular.  Schwartz has taken the inspiration for his book from a book by Studs Terkel which he published in 1974 with the name, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. This book was about the interviews from people with different occupational and regional backgrounds. The musical was shown in Chicago in 1977 at the Goodman Theater where it ran until 1978. The music of Working is given by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, James Taylor and Mary Rodgers along with Schwartz and the lyrics by Taylor, Grant, Carnelia and Susan Birkenhead along with Schwartz.  The production was done again and this time for Broadway in 1978. It was shown at the 46^th Street Theatre 24 times. The Broadway production was directed by Schwartz and the choreography was done by Onna White. The original Broadway cast featured Patti LuPone, Joe Mantegna, David Patrick Kelly, Bob Gunton, Lynne Thigpen, Rex Everhart, Lenora Nemetz, Bobo Lewis, Amy Freeman and Brad Sullivan. Working was also adopted on American Playhouse, a PBS television series and Kirk Browning helped in the direction along with Schwartz. Working the musical has been passed through a number of revisions when it was premiered at Long Wharf Theater in Connecticut, Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida and Old Globe Theatre in California. The musical received positive reviews from all over and wherever it was played. Working is a musical with two acts which features the stories of lots of different working class characters to which all the people can relate to in one way or the other like the school teachers to parking lot attendants and from millworkers to corporate executives. From Monday Morning Blues to the Joys of Friday, from being stuck in the traffic while getting late for work to the pros and cons of the job, Working is an extraordinary theater show. All the characters are interconnected in a very pleasant manner which makes this musical all the more exciting. How people are happy or unsatisfied with their jobs, and how they have different hopes and aspirations and all the different occupations and professions the musical features is what no one would want to miss.  The musical has so many beautiful songs which makes it a delightful theater experience. The act 1 of the musical features “All the Livelong Day” performed by the company, “Traffic Jam” by the people stuck in traffic, ‘Lovin’ Al’ performed by Al and the group of his ladies, ‘Nobody Tells Me How” by Rose Hoffman, “I’m Just Movin’” by Babe, “Un Mejor Dia Vendra” by Roberto Nunez and workers, “Neat to Be a Newsboy” by John Rushton, “Just a Housewife” by Kate Rushton, “Millwork” by Singer and “If I Could’ve Been” by the Company. The act 2 includes “The Mason” by Anthony Coelho, “Brother Trucker” by Dave McCormick, Frank Decker and other truckers, “It’s an Art” by Delores Dante, “Joe” by Joe, “Cleanin’ Women” by Maggie Holmes, “Fathers and Sons” by Mike Dillard and the males and “Something to Point to” by the whole Company. Working is several time a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominated musical and in no time will win one. The new turn of subject which the creators have taken is the major reason why the musical is popular. Working tickets are the best entertainment tickets for all kinds of people as everyone can relate to any or parts of the character with their daily lives. With the revival of the musical in 2011 after a number of production revisions, it is even in a better shape, a whole lot exciting and Working tickets a popular commodity. The musical has all the features of a good drama with music, dance, sentiments and also a dash of comedy with the plot building around a number of characters from different walks of life having different positions and hopes. So the next time Working hits the theaters, it should be a must watch for everyone!