Oak Park Newspaper

WORKING

through May 8.
"Highly recommended....and Studs would have loved it"
Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.

review by Ed Vincent

We reviewed this play many years ago, before it became a musical and while Studs was still with us. The original presentation from the book was a big hit at the Lookingglass theatre years ago. In its current form it goes up a few steps higher, the music is great and the theatrics are spot on and fun.

The characters go through any number of costumes and total changes in roles, incredibly varied and performed with tons of talent. The intimate nature of the theater itself brings the tales and events even closer to home.

If you're a fan of musicals you'll love this production, if you like a good, mostly true story of life in the modern age, you'll like this tale, and if you want to see a tremendous play with great sets, lighting, staging, and music, come get your tickets.

Talent and then some. Some of the transformations on stage are reminiscent of a metamorphosis via a chrysalis (χρυσαλλίς), quite dramatic--and fun.

"Highly recommended....and Studs would have loved it"
Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.

WORKING

WORKING TO SALUTE STUDS TERKEL’S
LEGACY OF HONORING EVERYDAY PEOPLE
LEADING CHICAGOANS FEATURED IN POST-PERFORMANCE CONVERSATIONS

CHICAGO (February 11, 2011) – Broadway In Chicago and the company of WORKING are pleased to announce their “Local Heroes” program, created to honor and complement the new musical WORKING, which begins previews February 15, 2011, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut). The program is designed to pay tribute to Studs Terkel’s vision of showcasing everyday people. WORKING will honor Chicago’s own through post-show conversations about who they are, what they do in life and how they make a difference. These conversations will include fascinating professions from doctors to firemen, to waitresses, assistants and sanitation workers and professions from every spectrum of our lives along with cast members of WORKING.

Following select performances, notable Chicagoans will participate in these conversations including CBS’ Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra, State Senator John Cullerton, Chicago Tribune’s Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune’s and WGN’s Rick Kogan, NPR’s Peter Sagal, host of NPR and WBEZ’s “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me” and his wife Beth Albrecht Sagal, Chicago Cubs Public Address Announcer Wayne Messmer, Chef Charlie Trotter, Ramsey Lewis and more. See the full schedule at BroadwayInChicago.com.

WORKING is a vital new musical based on the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Chicago’s own Studs Terkel. Newly adapted by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, PIPPIN and GODSPELL) from the original adaptation by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, WORKING is the working man’s A CHORUS LINE. A musical exploration of 26 people from all walks of life, with songs by all-star composers Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Tony Award™ winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz and Grammy Award™ winning James Taylor. WORKING celebrates everyday people in a genuinely funny and touching way. Portrayed by some of Chicago’s brightest stars including E. Faye Butler, Barbara Robertson and Gene Weygandt, Emjoy Gavino, Michael Mahler and Gabriel Ruiz, WORKING fills you with hope and inspiration and is the perfect musical for everyone who has ever worked a day in their lives.

Produced by Jed Bernstein, Dianne Fraser and Sheila Simon Geltzer, WORKING is directed by Gordon Greenberg, with Scenic Design by Beowulf Boritt.

Individual tickets for WORKING are $67.50 - $77.50. A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut St.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Kiosk at Water Tower Place (845 N. Michigan Ave.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775‐2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores), and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For groups of 15 or more, call (312) 977‐1710. WORKING is a part of the 2011 Broadway In Chicago Spring Season Series.

For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com or www.workingthemusical.com.

A Montage of the Show

Studs Terkel speaks, with commentary by the
musical creator.