WORKING A Musical in 2 Acts. Based on the book of the same name by Studs Terkel. Adapted and directed by Stephen Schwartz. Music and lyrics by Craig Camelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor. Dances and musical staging by Onna White. Settings by David Mitchell. Costumes by Marjorie Slaiman. Lighting by Ken Billington. Musical direction and vocal arrangements by Stephen Reinhardt. Orchestrations by Kirk Nurock. Dance and incidental music by Michele Brourman. Associate director, Nina Faso. Sound by Jack Mann. Assistant conductor, Kenneth Bichel. 46th Street Theatre, New York - Opened 14 May, 1978; Closed 4 June, 1976 (25 perfs) SUMMARY The characters of WORKING are everybody you know! The situations are everyday situations. But this musical is anything but ordinary. A different look at the seemingly humdrum lives of working people reveals a myriad variety of hopes, aspirations and dreams. Of course, to some, life is a Monday to Friday drudge, but to others there is great pride in their daily routine. A powerful contemporary score backed by a vital and dramatic book makes this a winner. The action takes place at the present time in numerous places of employment. The characters in "Working" are non-fictional characters. Their names have been changed, but their words have not. Even in the ease of song lyrics, the writers have tried to remain as faithful as possible to the character's original words. It is our feeling that the value of this piece stems chiefly front the fact that it is true, and we have made every effort to keep from sliding into the realm of "playwriting." SYNOPSIS In the course of one twenty-four hour workday, the audience meets and hears the stories of various workers. STORY The musical begins Monday morning as the ensemble comes out, introduces themselves, and sings “All the Livelong Day.” First, Mike Dillard, a steelworker, talks about his job and thinks about the man who drives the car made with his steel. The Workers, driving their cars, are held up in a “Traffic Jam,” then they turn their cars over to Al Calinda, the parking lot attendant. Al tells his life story and sings about his obsession with cars in the song, “Lovin' Al.” Meanwhile, in an office filled with cubicles, Amanda McKenny and her fellow workers talk about their work days in a time of computers and corporate mergers. Amanda and her co-workers attempt to do as little work as possible. In contrast, her boss, Rex Winship, loves to work and he takes an overseas call. Rex hopes to retire and become a teacher, so he can pass on his business knowledge to the next generation. Next, an ageing third grade teacher, Rose Hoffman, greets her students as they come in to class. She laments the changing teaching methods and different generations in the song, “Nobody Tells Me How.” Rose then remembers her favourite student, Pam “Babe” Secoli, who is now a checker at the Treasure Island
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