Review: 'Working'
DALLAS -- Some folks go to musicals (like Wicked,
for instance) for escapist value, and others prefer musicals
with a deeper, more artistic bent (almost anything from the
Sondheim oeuvre), but I have never figured out why anyone would
care about the 1978 musical Working.
Adapted from the Studs Terkel book by Wicked
composer Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, Working sets
the stories of ordinary paycheck earners, like you and me, to
vignettes and music. It aims for inspirational, suggesting that
those who contribute to building a skyscraper or cleaning its
floors deserve to have a legacy as important as great achievers
(say, da Vinci), but I've always found it an almost
condescending reminder that most of us are schmucks just going
through life's motions.
Who wants a musical to tell us that?
At least it does have a handful of memorable
tunes (songwriters include James Taylor, Mary Rodgers and Susan
Birkenhead, Micki Grant and Craig Carnelia). And at least
Theatre Arlington's version -- a co-production with the
University of Texas at Arlington drama department directed and
choreographed by B.J. Cleveland -- gives a silver-star go at it.
Because the cast is largely made up of students, it's
understandable that the singing is slightly uneven and the best
vocal work comes from the pros, namely Jeff Kinman as an
ironworker and Jill Hall as a mill worker. (Musical direction is
by Mark Dennis Miller.) It's a good, easy show for student
actors. Here, they throw themselves into the spirit of their
characters' occupations with a lot of heart.
The presentation, mostly designed by UT-Arlington students and
alumna, is also a good-looking production, especially Michelle
Harvey's simple but striking scenic design.
The show is sometimes dated. Not to be all PC-police, but if
they're going to update Working to include e-mail
references, must the C-word ("colored") remain in a
segment by an older teacher (Dorothy Lynn Brooks) struggling to
keep up with changing times? Maybe if the piece had more weight
or entertainment value, that would be offensive. Instead, it's
relegated to a mere shrug.
Be advised: Strong language,
including sexual dialogue.
Runtime: Two hours with one
intermission
Best reason to go: The final
song, Something to Point To, hokey as it is, is the
production's best example of strong ensemble singing and
showcases Cleveland's knack for lovely stage pictures with a
large cast.
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PICK OF THE WEEK | ARLINGTON
Working
By Mark Lowry
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Musical theater composer Stephen Schwartz was
bound to be best known for Godspell forever, until a
little phenomenon called Wicked came along. But there's
other work in his file to commend, including Working,
an adaptation of Studs Terkel's 1972 book of interviews with
America's employees (the musical is co-adapted with Nina Faso,
and features songs by Mary Rodgers and James Taylor, among
others). Theatre Arlington revives it, in a co-production with
the University of Texas at Arlington, featuring actors and
designers from UTA's students and alumni. B.J. Cleveland
directs.
Working
Friday, March 28 through April 27
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays
at 2 pm
Theatre Arlington
305 W. Main St.
Arlington
$18-$20
817-275-7661
Call 817-275-7661 for reservations or purchase
online.
Eric Younkin
Clockwise from top: Jeff Kinman, Jill Deramus, Jason
Villareal in Working
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