‘Working: The Musical’ @ Theatre Frisco
Photos courtesy of Theatre Frisco
Carol M. Rice
Working: A Musical is based on true-life interviews from much-loved Chicago journalist Studs Terkel that became the book Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. The material was first adapted as a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, and currently includes songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, and James Taylor.
The original production landed on Broadway in 1978, and has been revised and updated many times, often with new songs added and others taken away. Between the Broadway production, the original licensed version, and the 2012 revised version, Working has featured over 50 different characters.
I’m not sure exactly how many characters are included in the version currently running at Theatre Frisco, but the talented cast of eight plays quite a few: delivery driver, caregiver, trucker, teacher, cleaning woman, waitress, brick mason, stay-at-home mom...and those are just the ones off the top of my head.
There’s not strictly a plot, but the characters all have things to say and songs to sing. A few of my favorites include Shannon Davidson’s heartfelt ballad “Just a Housewife,” Faith Grier’s powerhouse Act I closer “Lovin’ Al,” and Ryan Lee and Krystal Rodriguez’s lovely duet “A Very Good Day,” which brings together two different types of caregivers: one caring for an elderly adult, the other for a young child of working parents. My companion and I both teared up at that one.
The cast members portray a range of ages and types, with Nick Merritt taking on many of the “young man” roles and Ken O’Reilly at the other end of the spectrum. Stephanie Felton provides some much-needed comedy relief as a long-time hooker and a waitress (to name a few), and Tony Barone is great as various blue-collar types.
Grier plays everything from a Gen Z receptionist to a snooty socialite, while Rodriguez tells us about her jobs as a flight attendant, a cleaning woman, and more. These two have the strongest voices and completely shine in their vocal numbers.
The monologues aren’t as effective as the songs, and after doing a little research into the show’s history, I am now curious to know more about the musical numbers and characters that didn’t made the cut. Perhaps they’re dated? It’s been nearly 50 years since the show’s debut, after all.
One thing I really loved is that Theatre Frisco chose to do the localized version of Working, which gives theatres the opportunity to add worker interviews from their own community to the production. The performance I attended included three such stories from real local workers about their jobs.
In its various iterations, Working has been around for a while, but this was the first time I’d seen a production. Under the direction of Ashley Puckett Gonzales, it was well worth the wait.
Joey O’Reilly’s music direction brings out the best in each of the actors. Rodney Dobbs’ simple set design works well on the Frisco Discovery Center stage, and the costume design by Alison Kingwell ties everyone together nicely—and lets us know immediately what type of job each character has. Rachel Velasco’s props are appropriate and effective.
If you’re looking for a musical theatre experience that’s a bit on the unique side, and one that will make you think, Theatre Frisco’s production of Working is the one for you.
WHEN: February 13-March 1, 1016
WHERE: Frisco Discovery Center (black box theatre), 8004 N. Dallas Parkway, Frisco
WEB: theatrefrisco.com
